University News

ARCDO hosts biannual 2025 Career Fest

Elaine Carie A. Andres, News, Communication Management Office

The PUP Alumni Relations and Career Development Office (ARCDO) successfully hosted the 2025 Career Fest from March 12 to 14, 2025, at the PUP Gymnasium. The event connected third and fourth year students with potential employers and internship locations, offering industry exposure, networking opportunities, and skills development.

The opening was graced by key university officials, including Vice President for Student Affairs and Services Prof. Tomas O. Testor, Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services and ARCDO Director Engr. Florinda H. Oquindo, and University Registrar Dr. Flordeliza E. Alvendia.

Director Oquindo shared the significance of Career Fest for the university, “Having various partnerships with our industry partners will really go a long way during their journey here at the university. The establishment of partnerships with various sectors will complement our goals and objectives towards the University’s aims.”

The event featured distinguished speakers from industry and government, sharing insights to prepare students for the workforce. Notable presenters included Carmela Sais, Vice President of Recruitment at Oraz Philippines; Ryan Abad, Close and Consolidation Manager and Site Strategy Lead at GM Philippines Inc.; Garett Maralit, Sales Manager at Sun Life Canada Philippines; Louchie Ann Alcancia, HR Officer at China Banking Corporation; and Maria Señora Borromeo, Labor and Employment Officer III at DOLE Manila. Their talks covered career development, labor education, and workplace readiness.

Students from various disciplines found the event highly beneficial. Jairo Mae Ruel, a fourth year AB Philosophy, highlighted the availability of other opportunities to explore as it offers career paths beyond traditional roles.

“Sa philosophy kasi talagang it’s either nalagay ka lang dun kasi wala ng slot sa iba or nangangapa ka pa sa career path mo. So it’s very relevant sa amin kasi di naman lahat din ng nag-philosophy ay mag-law at mag-professor or something very in line with that. So natutulungan kami mag-guide and maging aware kung ano pang other opportunities yung meron para sa amin,” she said.

(“In philosophy, it’s really either you ended up there because there were no slots available elsewhere or you’re still figuring out your career path. So, it’s very relevant to us because not all philosophy graduates go into law or become professors or something very in line with that. So we are helped to be guided and become aware of what other opportunities are available for us.”)

Carmela Dawn Maglantay, a third year Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, expressed gratitude to the event and its organizers for bringing various companies to the university. She noted, “Really grateful to PUP sa ganitong event, dahil di lang na-showcase ng companies kung anong meron sila but the students are being given the opportunities to venture sa jobs and to fulfill their internships.”

(“Really grateful to PUP for this event, because not only do companies showcase what they have, but students are also given the opportunities to venture into jobs and fulfill their internships.”)

Over 40 industry partners participated, including Cloudstaff, VXI Global Solutions, Philippine National Bank (PNB), Sun Life, and Alfamart, alongside five government agencies: Philhealth, PhilSys, SSS, Pag-IBIG, and PSA.

The Career Fest continues to play a major part in enhancing students’ employability and facilitating their transition from education to the workforce, with the second part of the event scheduled for later this year.

_{(Note: English translation generated from AI.)}