Cebu Graduates Share Insights on College Journey and Career Readiness
As graduation ceremonies approach, students across Cebu are reflecting on their academic experiences, the challenges they have overcome, and their preparations for entering the professional world. Their stories highlight dedication, resilience, and optimism as they transition from campus life to future careers.
John Loui Bonbon: Embracing Technology and Overcoming Challenges
John Loui Bonbon, a fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Information Technology student from the University of Cebu Main Campus, describes his college journey as fulfilling and exciting. Despite feeling nervous about the future, he emphasizes that time management was very important during his demanding final semester, where he balanced a capstone project, academics, and job preparation.
Bonbon is now sharpening his technical skills, updating his resume, and seeking opportunities in the IT field, driven by his passion for technology and its career prospects. He values his system projects and capstone work for their practical application, stating that they have prepared him well for industry demands.
His advice to fellow students is clear: Practice your skills early, don’t procrastinate, and always be willing to learn new technologies. Despite the competitive nature of the IT industry, Bonbon feels prepared, crediting mentors and peers for their support. He adds, I’m excited and nervous, but ready to face new challenges in the IT field, motivated by both financial and academic pressures.
Monique Ivankha Leaño: Finding Purpose in Education
Monique Ivankha Leaño, a fourth-year Bachelor of Elementary Education student from Benedicto College, describes her college experience as surreal and emotional. Her final semester was particularly demanding, as she balanced academics, ministry work, teaching children, and family responsibilities.
Confident in her role, having taught since age 12, she has already secured a teaching position in Lapu-Lapu starting in June. Leaño affirms, Teaching is not just a profession for me; it is my calling, and she values the relationships with classmates and professors most from her time in college.
Her advice to students focuses on personal growth: don’t rush the journey, focus on learning, not just passing, and take care of your mental health. Despite a competitive workforce, she believes that growth continues beyond college, with college fostering her resilience and independence through support from mentors and peers during personal challenges.
She adds, It’s bittersweet. I’m grateful for everything college gave me, but I’m also ready to step into a new season of growth and purpose.
Ezel Ann Rosales: Navigating Hospitality with Confidence
Ezel Ann Rosales, a fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Hotel Management student from the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu Mandaue, expresses mixed feelings of happiness and nervousness upon completing her degree. Her final semester required strong time management to balance an internship, assessments, and personal commitments.
She is now updating her resume and gaining confidence from her internship experiences, noting that The hospitality industry represents my main interest. Rosales advises students to stay consistent and not procrastinate, emphasizing that college goes by faster than you think.
Despite facing financial difficulties, she received crucial support from mentors and classmates. Looking ahead, she feels excited and overwhelmed but is eager to apply her knowledge in the professional world.
Conclusion: Inspiring Future Generations
These experiences from graduating students John, Monique, and Ezel showcase the dedication, resilience, and optimism of students from different schools and universities in Cebu. As they prepare for their professional careers, their journeys and insights emphasize the transformative power of education and serve as an inspiration for future students navigating similar paths.
