By Christelle Alynna Marie S. Agustin
StratCom Intern

Despite the limitations posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) still provides a way to prepare its graduating students for employment. 

The MMSU Office of Student Affairs and Services (OSAS) conducted an online pre-employment coaching and e-job fair program dubbed ‘Virtual Career Expo 2021’ last June 29 to July 9. 

With the theme, “Galloping into the Future Workforce: Advancing 21st Century Employability Skills of MMSU Stallions,” the 11-day program was participated in by almost 400 graduating students of the university via Zoom and Facebook Group livestream. 

Dr. Geraldeen Pascual, student welfare chief, said the first-ever virtual career expo aimed to prepare the students for their future work by equipping them with the needed knowledge and skills for them to be ready in real-life job market situations.

Pascual said the pre-employment coaching program involved series of courses, lectures, workshops, and mock job interviews. 

First, the graduating students were enrolled to S2S (Skills to Succeed) Academy Courses delivered by the Accenture, a multinational professional technology services company that provides services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital, technology, and operations. By enrolling to this immersive online program, students were able to learn how to plan for their career and build skills by accomplishing modules. Participants obtained e-certificates in the courses.

Second, the MMSU students participated in the following lecture topics: Coping with Pandemic: A Fresh Grad Experience; Gender Sensitivity in the Workplace; Job Interviews and Dressed for Success; Basic Etiquette for First Time Job Applicants; Labor Market Information; Legal Mode in Applying Overseas; Right of Workers; and Winning Resume and Cover Letter for Fresh Grads.

These topics were discussed by Dr. Elizabeth Marfel F. Gagni, OSAS director; Prof. Milagros B. Barruga, institutional student programs and services chief; Dr. Jan Rich A. Guira, student development chief; Dr. Shiela B. Baquiran, tourism and hospitality management faculty member; Dr. Marlina L. Lino, language center chief; and Ms. Leonavilla Diadiz from the Department of Labor and Employment in Ilocos Norte.

After the lectures, the graduating students were tasked to create their own resume. It was followed by a mock job interview facilitated by the faculty members of the Department of Languages and Literature.

Moreover, an E-job fair program held last July 9 was conducted in partnership with Prosple, a careers and technology education company. Here, the University introduced its Career Directory page, which consists of employers’ booths with their respective company profiles where students can browse and immediately see job opportunity posts. 

Pascual assured the MMSU Career Directory page will be permanently accessible to continuously help the graduating students in finding jobs. (StratCom)