The Cordillera Office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-CAR) held a seminar on Job Hunting Strategies and Career Exploration for graduating DOST scholars on March 28, 2019 at the Citylight Hotel, Baguio City.
A total of 136 graduating students attended the said seminar from the Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology, Benguet State University, Ifugao State University, Kalinga State University, Mountain Province State Polytechnic College, Saint Louis University, University of Baguio, and University of the Philippines Baguio.
Dr. Nancy A. Bantog, Regional Director of the DOST-CAR, opened the program with encouragements and wishes of good luck for the scholars’ future careers, followed by a discussion on the ‘Job Seekers’ Tool Kit’ and ‘Interviewing for Success’ by Ms. Julienne Fortunato from the Department of Labor and Employment sharing her expertise in job seeking and how to successfully pass an interview.
“The factors that most recruitment agencies look for, aside from the knowledge and skills, is the attitude of the applicant. Lack of humility is one of the biggest factors why most college graduates are unemployed because they feel that they deserve more,” emphasized Fortunato. She identified the factors that drive unemployment among fresh graduates, such as, failure in the examination or job interview; lack of extensive work experience; applicant’s residence being far from the jobsite; inconsistency in submitted information and documents vis-a-vis claims of the applicants, and poor communication skills.
In addition, Fortunato stated that recruitment agencies have observed that job seekers lack essential traits important when hunting for a job, like, critical thinking and problem solving; communication; productivity and accountability; innovation; decision making; and planning and organizing.
She further encouraged the scholars to get a job they really love, not just a job but a career they really want to pursue. Fortunato ended her talk with a quote from the Bible, “For I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Meanwhile, in the afternoon session, Rodel B. Inga-an, a DOST scholar currently employed as Science Research Specialist II at DOST-CAR, shared tips on passing the board examination for engineers.
“Just remember that wherever your career takes you, you are carrying the brand of success, brand of hope, brand of leadership, and that is tatak DOST scholar,” advised Inga-an.
By Caryn Dimas- BSU-DDC Intern
