When it comes to life after high school, for many Filipino students, going to college is the most logical next step. However, the cost of a college education can be expensive. Alongside other considerations such as family situations and personal emergencies, there are many students who, either by choice or by necessity, are forced to abandon their college life to seek out employment.
While earning a college degree certainly has its benefits, the realities that make students defer the pursuit of higher education cannot be ignored. After all, the prospect of juggling academic life with work schedules and family responsibilities is daunting – making the decision to finish college even tougher than it should be.
In a survey conducted by TheNerve, opportunities for career advancement emerged as the standout reason for potential college returnees to go back to school. As COVID-19 reshaped the ways people and businesses work, despite economic setbacks, there are opportunities abound for people looking to take the next step in terms of their professional lives.
According to data released by JobStreet last September, IT, Administrative, Finance and Human Resources professionals were among the top ten in-demand specializations in the country. As businesses undergo digital transformation, new roles need to be created to remain competitive. In keeping with the demands of today’s professional landscape, it’s time for education to become more accessible and inclusive, especially in support of potential college returnees looking to take their careers to the next level.
Aside from job security, time management is another important consideration for college returnees. This flexibility is one advantage an online degree program offers in comparison to traditional models of education. Through online education, learning can be done at a pace that best suits the needs of individual students. With content, resources, and even coursework disseminated online, this removes the need for students to be physically present on-campus. By doing away with commuting, students spend less time in traffic - allowing them to maximize their productivity and effectively balance school work with their other responsibilities.
In recognition of the considerations of returning college students, as well as the opportunities presented by ever-evolving workplace needs, Mapúa Malayan Digital College (MMDC) is a flexible digital-first offering that delivers a cutting-edge online curriculum and offline experiences designed for the modern Filipino working student. It also harnesses the academic excellence and heritage of Mapúa University and Malayan Colleges Laguna, A Mapúa School, of which it is a subsidiary.
In terms of degree programs, MMDC offers courses for employability focused on areas that are in-demand by both students and industry: technology and business. Specializations in Information Technology include Data Analytics, Software Development, and Network and Cybersecurity. Meanwhile, specializations in the Business Administration major include Marketing Management, Operations Management, and Human Resource Management. Both programs are designed by instructional design professionals who leverage experts and experience from both the academe and the workforce.
Aside from becoming technically proficient within their desired fields of study, MMDC students also develop critical thinking, analysis, leadership, collaboration, and other soft skills needed in today’s workforce. This is embodied in MMDC’s Projects, Problems and Cases (PPC) model, which emphasizes real-world applications and evaluates students on their output, not multiple choice tests. Engineered to be as close to learning on the job as it gets, this model is designed for flexibility. On a full load, there will only be about 7.5 hours of required synchronous online class time per week.. And these sessions will be available in both early and late schedules, even on Saturdays. This allows students more control of their time to strike the optimal balance between academics, work, and other duties.
To improve access to resources and educational content, MMDC will provide pocket Wi-Fi with unlimited access to learning platforms and can provide students with a laptop if needed. MMDC also provides students with access to Student Services and Learning Hubs – spaces designed for collaboration where students can meet, work, organize clubs, and more. MMDC’s first two Learning Hubs will be located at Ayala Malls Cloverleaf (Quezon City) and Ayala Malls Capitol Central (Bacolod City).
From incoming college freshmen to workers looking to finish their degrees, all types of students can benefit from the flexible educational model that MMDC offers. By prioritizing learner needs in both technology and business and providing support in the form of digital tools and student centers, MMDC is on a mission to provide better student experiences and better lives for a better country.
MMDC is now accepting BS Information Technology and BS Business Administration freshmen for the 2022-2023 school year. The first 500 enrolled students can avail of the MMDC Pioneer Scholarship to get up to a P20,000 discount on tuition for the whole school year.
Students may inquire or apply by visiting www.mmdc.mcl.edu.ph to learn more, or follow MMDC on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
