Celebrating the Past, Igniting the Future for the Evolving Employment Landscape

 

The first face-to-face Job Fair for University of Makati’s graduating college and senior high school students and alumni was held on May 4, 2022 at the University Oval, two and a half years after the onset of the pandemic.

Under the guidelines of the new normal, the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs-Center for Linkages, Career Development and Placement (CLCDP) spearheaded Job Fair 2022 in collaboration with the Makati-Public Employment Services Office (PESO), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the UMak Office of the Vice President for Student Services and Community Development-Center for Student Organizations and Activities (CSOA).

This year’s theme was “Celebrating the Past, Igniting the Future for the Evolving Employment Landscape,” as part of UMak’s 50^th founding anniversary while coinciding with the celebrations for the 120^th anniversary of Labor Day in the country.  Through the Job Fair 2022, UMak hopes to support the University’s young and upcoming professionals in achieving their career goals especially during these challenging times.

 

A total of 139 students and alumni attended the event, where almost 2,000 job vacancies were made available to the job seekers.  The vacancies included positions for teachers, nurses, pharmacists, supervisors, software engineers, underwriting specialists, customer service representatives, technicians, cashiers, multimedia artist, among others.  The participating companies were Alorica, Inc., Denso Techno Philippines, Inc., ENOZ English Philippines, Inc., Jolly Management Solutions, Inc., Philippine Urban Living Solutions, Inc., Prime@Technology Specialists, Inc., and St. Luke’s Medical Center.

The Job Fair or Career Fair is a yearly event which aims to provide UMak graduating students and alumni with an accessible venue to directly connect them to reputable and top employers for potential job and/or internship opportunities. For the past two years, due to the unprecedented effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, UMak put together virtual career fairs and career forums to continuously provide employment and career opportunities and prepare their graduating students and alumni for the job market under the new normal. With the easing up on restrictions, the first face-to-face University Job Fair since 2019 was finally conducted.

In an inspirational video message, Makati City Mayor Mar-Len Abigail Binay said that the Job Fair 2022 theme reflects the goal to help UMak graduating students and young graduates adapt to the evolving employment landscape and demands brought about by the still ongoing health crisis.  As the country continues to rebuild and reclaim what was lost in the last two years, she encouraged jobseekers to take advantage of the employment opportunities, highlighting that job fairs provide a network for career exploration and additional professional development. She added that the new skills and additional learning will help them become more successful employees and leaders in their chosen fields.

The Job Fair 2022 was formally opened by CLCDP Director Cynthia Jose after the welcome messages and ribbon cutting led by UMak OIC-President and concurrent Vice President for Academic Affairs Elyxzur Ramos, together with Makati-PESO Head Josephine Copada and DOLE representative Pam Fijer.  CSOA Director Angelito Vargas led the opening prayers.

The graduating students and alumni who registered and attended the event were in for a treat because, aside from the job opportunities, the participants were also able to get freebies of snacks and refreshments sponsored by Leslie Corporation, Joyice, and Manila Water Corporation.

Job opportunity events such as the Job Fair 2022 are expected to pave the way for UMak Herons to showcase their excellence, resilience, and integrity even with an employment landscape characterized by the so-called VUCA, i.e. volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity.  Just as Mayor Binay said, no matter where they go, Herons should always be known for excellence, leadership skills, and exceptional character.

Written by: SALHA HAMID

Photographed by: KORINNE OF UMAK STUDENT MULTIMEDIA ORGANIZATION