University News

ARCDO holds annual Career Fest 2.0

Jan Vincent Lanuza, News, Communication Management Office

The PUP Alumni Relations and Career Development Office (ARCDO) held the second and last part of its annual Career Fest from July 10 to 12, 2024, at the PUP Gymnasium to give 3rd and 4th year students access to various industry partners of the University and government institutions to answer their internship and career inquiries.

Like the first part of the 2024 Career Fest, this event was also centered on addressing the participants’ needs for career advice, internship opportunities, and application for government-issued IDs—factors that will help them in preparation for their future careers.

ARCDO Director Engr. Florinda Oquindo emphasized Career Fest’s significance to the University, particularly to students.

“Having various partnerships with our industry partners, it will really go a long way during their journey dito sa University kasi ang establishment mo ng partnerships with the various sectors will really help a lot para whatever ang goals natin, whatever ang objectives natin towards gearing to the objectives that the University has, it will really complement.”

(“Having that various partnerships that we have with our industry partners, it will really go a long way during their journey here at University because the establishment of the partnerships with the various sectors will really help a lot so that whatever our goals, whatever our objectives towards gearing to the objectives that the University has, it will really complement.”)

The benefactors of this event—the PUPians, recognized the importance of this occasion to their future. Sarahlyn Fuentes, a 3rd Year Diploma in Information Communication Technology (DICT) student, highlighted the essence of this juncture in benefiting students in their career and internship ventures.

“My experience with Career Fest 2024 at PUP was great especially for us graduating students that are looking forward towards employment. It really helps us to explore the objectives of other companies that will help to improve our resume,” she said.

Rica De Mesa, a 3rd Year Bachelor of Science in Psychology (BSPSY) student was amazed by the eagerness of the companies to go to PUP for this event, stating that it meant that they are aware of the PUPians’ ability and smarts. She also noted the portability of the Career Fest as it gives the students the convenience to talk directly to the industry partners about their corporation, the benefits of joining, and the application requirement, allowing them to gauge and weigh down the best possible career options.

The participating companies and government institutions shared their insights pertaining to the Career Fest. Kristine Quiambao, HR Specialist of Unilab stated the vision of the company to help attendees find the right company, while praising PUP students and alumni for their technical and soft skills.

“Over the years, we have accepted students from PUP, and we received pretty positive feedback from our hiring managers and the “leads” from Unilab. Sinasabi nila (They said) the graduates from PUP who entered the Unilab workforce na (that) they have a really strong work ethic and soft skills. They have good communication, [and] they are really hard working,” she said.

Representatives from other companies, such as Unioil and SSS, also expressed their commendation to PUP students for their dedication, excellence, perseverance, and commitment to their work and naming the University as their preferred source for new recruits.

The second part of the Career Fest featured over 30 industry partners such as Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Destileria Limtuaco, Global Dominion Financing, Inc., and Philippine National Bank (PNB) and four government institutions, including PhilHealth, SSS, Pag-IBIG, and PSA.