The third stop of the 2024 NYLON Manila Career Fair touched down at the Ateneo de Manila University for a day of career advice, insightful talks, and free goodies.
Related: DLSU Takeover: Highlights from the First Leg of NYLON Manila’s Career Fair 2024
Mondays are never easy, especially when it’s the start of a new week at school. But NYLON Manila ensured Ateneans started the week, and hopefully their futures, right with the third leg of the 2024 NYLON Manila Career Fair: University Takeover at the Ateneo de Manila University.
After coming to DLSU and UPD, it was the Blue Eagles’ turn as we, in partnership with the Ateneo Association for Communications Technology Management (ACTM), returned to Katipunan and brought the career talks, masterclasses, and more to the campus. And if you missed the Ateneo stop of the Career Fair, don’t worry bestie, we got you. Here’s the lowdown on what went down at the ADMU edition of the 2024 NYLON Manila Career Fair.
SEC WALK? MORE LIKE BOOTH WALK
Most Ateneans know the Sec Walk as one of the beating hearts of the campus. Last September 30, we turned it into a fun playground of interactive booths for both talk attendees and passing students, as they were greeted by our iconic N statue, where they could post and manifest their dreams and hopes on it with the help of sticky notes.
At Sec A Foyer, Cetaphil and Benzac gave students the pick-me-up they needed on a Monday as they highlighted the need to take care of the face card by treating pimples and acne with their products. Students were also encouraged to take selfies and write positive messages and advice on a big mirror that had everyone looking like the fairest of them all.
Students also had fun with the NYLON Manila MyZine booth. They got an up-close and personal look at our latest print product and its student-friendly prices, with explanations and demonstrations from the editorial team themselves. Not only did they get to take home their very own MyZine binders and print packs with NYLON Manila-themed stickers, but they also got to customize them to their taste and style. From an interactive magazine to a journal for their school work, Ateneans found themselves a new handy guide for their campus days and beyond.
Over at Sec B Foyer (because this is a university takeover, after all), even more interactive booths awaited Ateneans. KISS NY Philippines had the best kind of salon experience as students were challenged to give face card in three minutes using their products, with winners taking home cool prizes. A free touch-up in the middle of school? Yes, please!
Bioten, meanwhile, enticed students to check out their green and garden-inspired booth and their skincare products to help keep the face going in times when acads get a little too hectic. Oh, and lucky students who took part in the raffle by spinning the wheel won more free goodies.
And since this is a Career Fair we’re talking about, representatives from AGC Power Holdings Corporations’ HR department, the company that houses titles such as NYLON Manila, Billboard Philippines, Vogue Philippines, and Mega Magazine, were on-site with their own booth as students submitted their information for possible internships and job openings in the company. Giveaways and career opportunities without spending a dime, what’s to not love about that?
A NIGHT WITH BLUE EAGLES AND THEIR CAREERS
Once students had their fill of the interactive booths, they made their way to Escaler Hall for the main event. But first, NYLON Manila’s Brand Associate Bianca Lao wanted to see if the crowd passed the vibe check with a fun pre-event game of Kahoot! The verdict? They did, and the top three players took home a Sunnies Flask, a HelloLulu Bag, and a NYLON Manila tote bag.
The program then kicked off with the night’s host, ADMU alumni and courtside reporter Frannie Reyes, as she welcomed students and invited them to enter their young working adult era with the NYLON Manila Career Fair. Afterward, ACTM set the tone with their welcome speech. Up first was YouTuber, social media influencer, and fresh Ateneo graduate Janina Vela who centered her talk on avoiding burnout and finding work-life balance.
She emphasized the need to listen to your body, as hunger should not be seen as a hassle and sleeping isn’t for the week. “Stress is not a badge of honor,” she said. Janina then reminded the crowd of the power of when to say yes and no, as saying no can also be seen as a sign to say yes to the right things. At the end of the day, what matters is that you should give yourself that me-time because you shouldn’t be an afterthought. As Janina put it, “Enjoy the ceremony of self-care.”
Up next was Dermatologist and another Ateneo alumni Dr. Erin Santos as she peppered the crowd with key tips and tricks for feeling and looking your best. Her advice? Make sure to be courteous, confident, and authentic in your job interview if you want to secure that position. And fun fact, did you know that your smartphone’s blue lights on max brightness are not as harmful to you as the sun? That’s why Dr. Santos emphasized the importance of wearing sunscreen.
As a fun break, Bianca Lao returned to the stage to lead the crowd in another game of Kahoot! with questions related to the workplace, trivia about NYLON Manila and Ateneo, and more. The students were in it to win it, and ultimately, the top three scorers took home Sunnies Flasks, HelloLulu Bags, and NYLON Manila totes.
Following that, management consultant, transformational coach, and co-founder of Epiphany Collective PH Eric Cruz lit up Escaler Hall with his talk on mindsets and internally preparing yourself for the workplace. Using the NYLON Manila motto: Big, Bold, Brave, and three of Ateneo’s key values, Magis, Cura Personalis, and Lux in Domino, Eric Cruz’s talk was an insightful look into how mindset, perception, and choice play a big part in how you can live your best life in your working era. “More than thinking of what you can get, start thinking ‘how do I create value?’” he told the crowd.
For the last masterclass of the night, Career Counsellor and Director of Academic and Student Affairs at the SoFA Institute Mads Constantino came through with the truth bombs about success, salary, and experience in the workplace. Some of the key takeaways include how the paycheck shouldn’t be the only sign to determine career growth (“Salary is a snapshot, not the full picture”) and what success should mean to you. “Whatever your parents say, whatever society says, is that success? No,” she stated. “Your own self-belief and your own definition is the most important after all, this is your life. So why listen to other people’s definition of success?”
Finally, Bianca Lao and NYLON Manila Features Writer Nica Glorioso led a panel Q&A all about navigating the job application process and being in your first job with HR Representatives Dennise Rialp and Jenny Brutas and Modern Media Group Inc. Head of Operations Nikki Balboa. From the people who sift through dozens of resumes every week, they let students in on what recruiters want to see, the need for adaptability, and making that CV that catches their attention. “You tailor your CV or tailor the information in your CV, specifically sa job na inaaply mo. It helps your recruiter to know that you have the basic knowledge on how to do the job,” shared Dennise Rialp.
The program then came to an end as Frannie Reyes hosted a panel with the speakers as they shared more insights by answering some of the students’ burning questions, like what makes for a great CV format (the simpler, the better) and if there’s a preference when it comes to org experience or internship experience (spoiler, there isn’t). And just like that, the ADMU stop of the NYLON Manila Career Fair was in the books after closing remarks from Frannie and Bianca.
FLY HIGH TO YOUR WORKING ERA
Of course, we wouldn’t end the event without giving the students some fun freebies to take home now would we? Greeting them at the exit were goodie bags from Cetaphil, Solasta Jewelry, Sunnies Face, Halia Co, and ARTernative Art Supplies that came in a cute NYLON Manila tote bag.
From fun tidbits about the job hunt, educational masterclasses, and more, students took home some nuggets of wisdom that can help them as they enter their next stage of life and working era.
If you missed our last three stops, don’t worry, there’s still one last chance. For the fourth and final stop of the NYLON Manila Career Fair: University Takeover, we’re headed to the University of Asia and the Pacific on October 2. See you at UA&P for the finale!
Photos by Ed Simon
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