CLP Jumpstarts the School Year with the Internship Orientation
On August 6, the week before classes officially started, the internship orientation was held to a packed audience at the UMak Auditorium, where students from the College of Business and Financial Science, College of Technology Management, Institute of Arts and Design, and Institute of Pharmacy enrolled in internship/on-the-job training (OJT)/practicum for the first semester participated.
Organized every semester by the Center for Linkages and Placement (CLP), the event aims to equip students with the knowledge and confidence needed to succeed in a competitive job market, marking an important step in their professional journeys, before they are deployed as interns to their training establishments.
In keeping with the new global vision of the University, CLP has adopted the theme, “Towards Global Excellence: Navigating the New Employment Landscape,” for its events and projects for the new academic year to encapsulate the dynamic journey that UMak interns and graduating students face as they navigate the ever-evolving and increasingly international, intercultural, and global job market.
University Secretary and former OJT and Placement Services Center Director Juvy Hermosura delivered the inspirational message saying that OJT is both exciting and challenging because while it is just one step away from employment, getting through it – from searching for a training establishment, to submitting the documentary requirements, and to actually finishing the required number of hours – can be quite a hurdle but is nevertheless very achievable if students don’t take it for granted.
She stressed the importance of the internship program because completing it can spell the difference between graduating and staying for another semester or more in school. Finally, the University Secretary highlighted that although some interns encountered problems, there are more success stories of those who thrived, were immediately absorbed by their companies, and are now very successful in their chosen vocations or professions.
CLP Director Cynthia Margaretta Jose gave the opening message that set the stage for the afternoon’s discussions. She also provided a brief overview of the CLP and shared important guidelines from key Commission on Higher Education Memorandum Orders (CMOs) on internships, particularly CMO No. 104, series of 2017, CMO No. 4, series of 2023, and CMO No. 10, series of 2023. Knowing and understanding these CMOs, which serve as the basis for most of CLP’s internship deployment process and procedures, will help students align their internship and career goals with the broader educational framework.
A crucial part of the orientation was the discussion on student conduct and discipline during internships led by Center for Student Formation and Discipline Director Pompeyo Adamos III. This session emphasized the importance of professionalism and ethical behavior in the workplace.
The rest of the CLP team completed the discussion on the internship process and other activities. Placement Coordinator Ronald De Leon explained the internship deployment process and requirements. Linkages Coordinator Diana Marie Bolo and Linkages and Placement Coordinator Mary Love Operio guided the students through the process of editing the internship Memorandum of Agreement and understanding the expected process flow. Linkages and Placement Coordinator Erikka Vargas facilitated the interactive games and announced upcoming CLP events and other reminders.
Find UMak’s Active Partners here: www.umak.edu.ph/clp/industry-partners
The orientation also included an information drive for internship and job opportunities in both local and international settings. Presentations were made by Robert De Claro from Golden ToPPer, a fast-emerging real estate developer aiming to innovate cities across the Philippines with prime real estate projects, and Greg Watkins of Quality College of Australia, an established hospitality training school in Sydney and Adelaide offering programs that maximize students’ or graduates’ outcomes and learning potential as they build rewarding and dynamic careers to help them secure international work and placement.
As the program drew to a close, Vice President for Student Services and Community Development Virgilio Tabbu administered the Internship Consent and Agreement Oath and gave the Send-Off Message to motivate the incoming student interns. More than just a required event, the Internship orientation is expected to arm them with practical knowledge to help ensure that they are ready to meet the demands of a globalized job market with confidence and excellence.
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Written by: Candice Kim Alba
