By Alma L. Tingcang
DIPLAHAN,
Zamboanga Sibugay - About 2,000 students and parents converged
at Diplahan National High School on Nov. 22, 2013 for the Career Fiesta 2013 spearheaded
by the Guidance Counselors Network (GCNet) Zamboanga Sibugay Chapter.
The
activity, held in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment
(DOLE)-9 and the Department of Education (DepEd), endeavored to reduce the
number of job-skills mismatch and provided the students and parents alike with
adequate information to guide them in choosing courses that would either lead
to gainful employment or equip them with skills to become entrepreneurs.
DOLE-9
Regional Director Sisinio B. Cano lauded the GCNet for hosting the Career
Fiesta 2013 and for its untiring efforts in guiding the students to make intelligent
career decisions consistent with the current labor demand to better prepare
them in the world of work.
Darius
Antigua, GCNet president said, “We know for a fact that some parents decide what
courses their children would pursue in college. The Career Fiesta 2013 aims to change
this perception so that parents would guide and support their children in
whatever course they want to pursue.”
High
school graduating student, Marifel Balase, 16, was so glad that the career
fiesta was held. “I plan to take up education in college. It is my dream to
become a teacher. This way I can help my parents send my other siblings to
school,” she stated.
One
mother from Maganay, Buug, this province commended the worthy undertaking of
the GCNet, DOLE and DepEd. “My youngest son is graduating in high school. He plans
to take up automotive mechanic, either a two-year or four-year course, it all
depends on him. We will support him all the way,” she said in vernacular.
Students
gathered information on scholarship and admission requirements, and received
guidance on the first step to career planning from various participating
schools, while colleges and training institutions put up an information booth and
conducted orientation, testing and interviews.
Parents
assembled in one big learning session aptly titled, “Kung Yan ang Gusto Mo,
Suportahan Taka (If that is what you want, I will support you),” facilitated by
Ofelia Amik of Pilar College, Zamboanga City.
Most
of the students attended the “Yayaman Ako (I’ll become richer)” session, a talk
show on self-employment and entrepreneurship. The religious sector also
provided a panel discussion on opportunities for ministry and missions. (PIA9)