2026 Career Forums in the Philippines: opening doors to the professional world
THE HIDDEN CHALLENGES STUDENTS FACE IN THE PHILIPPINES
For many young people in the Philippines, studying is far from straightforward.
Although education is free, the everyday costs linked to being a student such as transport, meals, uniforms and supplies are out of reach for many families. Classrooms are often overcrowded and standards vary widely, while home life can be just as challenging. Many students grow up in cramped housing, under constant financial strain and in environments affected by crime and addiction. In rural areas, distance and isolation make access to opportunities and support even more difficult. Despite their talent and determination, countless students are forced to give up their studies early to help support their families, often accepting exhausting and poorly paid work instead.
A PATHWAY TO EDUCATION FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS
For over 30 years, Children of the Mekong has worked closely with local partners in the Philippines to support the most vulnerable young people. The boarding centres provide everything they need to study in good conditions, including accommodation, academic support and a stable daily environment, helping to remove many of the barriers that stand in the way of education. Beyond that, they are places to grow, where community life, responsibility and mutual support shape everyday life. Students are also guided as they prepare for working life, taking part in workshops that help them take their first steps into the Philippine job market.
In these centres, young people build solid foundations and are able to look ahead with confidence.
ACROSS THE PHILIPPINES, CAREER FORUMS OPEN DOORS TO WORKING LIFE
Between January and March, final year students across the Philippines took part in a series of career forums held in Children of the Mekong centres, designed to help them take their first steps into working life. From Tuguegarao to Cebu, Dumaguete and Butuan, every centre played its part in supporting students as they moved from university towards the world of work.
In Butuan on 8 March, around twenty students took part in a full day of activities organised for them.
09:00 – The day began with a short welcome from Ate Reah, head of the social work team, followed by icebreakers to help everyone settle in and build group spirit.
09:15 – Students then heard from a former student of the boarding centre, who shared practical advice on setting personal and professional goals. Jonah introduced the SMART method and showed how to turn goals into a simple, step-by-step plan.
10:30 – A member of the MBTI Bouygues team, a partner of the charity supporting students throughout the programme, explained how to apply for jobs and stand out in interviews. She also shared practical tips on job searches, including platforms such as JobsDB and Indeed, and spoke about the importance of LinkedIn.
13:30 – After lunch, students worked on their CVs and cover letters with support from the team, in preparation for the mock interviews later in the day. Before that, Atty Pags, also a former student, introduced the basics of Philippine labour law and spoke about the importance of ethics at work.
15:00 – The afternoon was dedicated to mock interviews, giving students the chance to practise in realistic conditions before their first real job interviews. Each student met with a professional (former students and social workers) and received feedback on their strengths and points to improve.
17:00 – To close the day, the president of the active alumni club in Butuan introduced the work of the charity’s alumni network before certificates were handed out. Some students still faced long journeys home, with more than seven hours of travel back to their villages.
ENGAGE YOUR COMPANY
Would you like to engage your company as a partner and support students in the Philippines as they move towards working life? Contact Heloise at heloise@childrenofthemekong.org
“Living at the Butuan centre has really changed the way I see things. I’ve learnt how to live with other students, respect their beliefs and backgrounds, and appreciate our differences. Over the years, I’ve grown a lot, worked on myself, and learned to always give my best, thanks to the support we receive every day.”
TURNING EDUCATION INTO OPPORTUNITY
- 100% of graduates secure a job within six months.
- Starting salaries are two to five times higher, ranging from USD 200 to 500 per month, compared with around USD 100 for their parents.
- A real pathway out of poverty, with benefits that extend across entire families.
- An active alumni network, where former students support new generations from academic guidance right through to employment.
“What strikes me most is the change I see in the young people. It goes far beyond getting a qualification. They grow in confidence, find their voice, learn to make decisions and start to believe in their future. Many become a real source of inspiration for their families, sometimes the first to open up new possibilities for those around them.”
