In an ever-evolving job market where hiring managers prioritize adaptable individuals, the pressure is on for college graduates to show they can offer more than the average applicant—that is, soft skills and practical experiences acquired from their higher education.
Energy Development Corporation (EDC) stresses the significance of postgraduation job readiness knowing that after graduation, scholars usually find themselves lost in the mayhem of first-time job seekers.
To address this situation, the company developed career readiness trainings tailored to assist their SIKAT scholargraduates in cultivating essential skills and principles for employment. In collaboration with the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation or ASSIST, the training materials cover aspects ranging from job searching and interview techniques to acclimating to their initial 90 days in their respective jobs.
SIKAT, EDC’s banner education program, provides quality education to economically-disadvantaged yet deserving students from its host communities through scholarship. Through SIKAT, scholars are also exposed to EDC’s advocacy toward environmental conservation and regenerative progress by means of pure, clean and stable renewable energy such as geothermal.
40 graduates
In 2023, the program produced 40 graduates across all their geothermal sites as well as 11 graduates from the Obo Manobo indigenous community in Mindanao. Five were magna cum laude graduates and 13 were cum laude graduates.
During their career readiness training and graduation ceremony with EDC, many graduates expressed their gratitude for SIKAT.
“They were there to support my finances, which covered my living expenses and travel cost for about seven years,” said Lance Zepeda, a SIKAT scholar-graduate of Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Science Teaching at the University of the Philippines Los Baños. “Without this scholarship, I would not have been able to afford to study at the University of the Philippines, one of the most prestigious and respected institutions in the country.”
Rosalie Alcansado, one of SIKAT’s magna cum laude graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree from the University of Southern Mindanao, said the program became her golden opportunity for a bright and successful future: “EDC, kayo ang naging sandigan at daan sa pag-abot ng aming mga pangarap at ang tumulong para ipagpatuloy ang mga pangarap na aming minimithi sa buhay.”
Lilia Valladolid, mother of Wenalyn who graduated from Sorsogon State University with a magna cum laude award and a Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Electronics) degree, said in her speech: “Kung hindi dahil sa tulong ninyo, hindi ko alam kung paano namin matutustusan ang pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan ng aming anak lalo na’t dahil sa pandemya, mas tumaas ang mga bilihin at pamasahe na hindi sapat sa kinikita ng aking asawa.”
Scholarship as lifeline
Despite facing their own challenges, SIKAT scholars persevered to excel in their studies.
Diana Mansos, a cum laude graduate from Bicol University with a Bachelor of TechnicalVocational Teacher Education degree, shared her experience during her sophomore year when her father passed away.
“In those challenging moments, the idea of continuing my education was overshadowed by the weight of grief. I doubted my ability to persevere,” said Mansos. “Yet, my scholarship emerged as a lifeline, allowing me to persist through those dark days. It became my anchor; it got me through the tough times. And with determination and support from my EDC family, I found the strength to persevere.”
SIKAT is and will continue to be a beacon of hope for these marginalized yet qualified young minds to strive for their goals and aim towards a brighter, regenerative future, not only for themselves and their families, but for the country as well. And after attending EDC’s career readiness training, they can venture out into the real world as workforce-ready individuals and pay forward the assistance they received from the SIKAT program.
“Hindi na tayo mga magaaral lamang; tayo ay mga indibidwal na handa nang magambag sa lipunan at sa pag-iral ng tunay na reyalidad,” said Cristina Bo, a magna cum laude scholar-graduate of Bicol University in Bachelor of Secondary Education, addressing her fellow graduates. “Ang karunungang natamo natin at ang liwanag na ibinigay ni EDC ay mangyaring ibahagi rin natin sa iba nang masikatan din ng pag-asa ang ikinukubli nilang pangarap sa dilim.”
(Story/Photos by: Frances Ariola)
