To provide a holistic learning opportunity for its midyear student interns this 2024, the Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center (AMTEC) organized a three-part seminar series that will complement the interns’ technical knowledge and skills gained from the Center. The talks were held at the CEAT Lecture Hall last July 12 and 19, 2024, andinvolved topics promoting personal and professional growth as they prepare for their future careers.

AMTEC has invited speakers from various organizations in and outside the university to share their expertise and useful tips with the interns. The seminar series was opened to all student interns, from universities across the country, in the different units of the College of Engineering and Agro-industrial Technology (CEAT).

The seminars revolved around three essential themes: workplace communication dynamics, gender and development, and career guidance. In total, nine (9) invited speakers graced the event to help the students prepare for their professional endeavors, in addition to the technical training they received from their host training establishments

On workplace communication dynamics

For the first session, the student interns attended the “Navigating Workplace Dynamics: Honing Communication and Proposal-making Skills” seminar last July 12, 2024. It was divided into two major topics: basics in workplace communication and tips on proposal-making in research and development.

Mr. Lawrence Neil E. Sagarino, Junior Extension Associate of AMTEC, served as a resource speaker on the basics of workplace communication. He emphasized that communication is integral and powerful in promoting productivity and good relationships in the workplace. The interns were encouraged to be aware and practice active listening, which highlights effective two-way communication at any level of the organization.

Moreover, Engr. Yaminah Mochica M. Pinca introduced some tips and advice on how to draft effective science research/project proposals. Engr. Pinca described proposal-making as an essential blueprint for a project to be successful. She encouraged the student interns not to take proposals as mere papers but as vital maps as they navigate their scientific research and programs as future engineers. 

The main goal of this session is to highlight how communication, in all forms, holds a fair share of significance in technological processes, especially in the engineering field.

On gender and personal development

AMTEC staff joined the student interns for the second part of the seminar series. The session focused on Gender and Development Training which is essential to ensure a safe space in the workplace. The seminar was led by three speakers who discussed gender sensitivity, anti-sexual harassment, and growth mindset. 

Highlighting the need for gender sensitivity and gender-fair language, Ms. Julie-ann Reyes, University Research Associate of the UPLB Gender Center, discussed the essentials of having a gender-inclusive working environment. Ms. Reyes tackled topics promoting awareness of the basics of gender and its differences from sex. She also provided the attendees with examples of gender-fair terminologies that would enable a safe space in the workplace. 

Moreover, Mr. Adrian Kenneth Mandap, Legal Aide in the UPLB Office of Anti-Sexual Harassment, provided valuable information in his talk about sexual harassment in the workplace. His discussion focused on the legal grounds of sexual harassment in various contexts. The talk also emphasized how crucial for all to advocate anti-sexual harassment in and outside our workplace. 

The morning talks were sealed through a personality development talk on Growth Mindset by Engr. Mark Anthony R. Isureña of UPLB-AMTEC. Anchored from the book of American author Carol Dweck, Engr. Isureña tackled the significance of going beyond one’s fixed mindset as it hinders your growth. The talk not only motivated the student interns to go out of their comfort zones but also reminded all attendees of the value of learning to grow in whatever professions we pursue.

On career guidance and professional development

To conclude the three-part seminar series, the third set of sessions focused on how the student interns could better prepare as they navigate their chosen careers after graduation. The seminar was composed of three main talks from invited speakers outside UPLB. 

The first session furthered the significance of gender sensitivity through an informative talk about Gender Dynamics in the office and SOGIESC basics with Mx. Aldrin Bula of PANTAY (Philippine Anti-Discrimination Alliance of Youth Leaders). The speaker focused on SOGIESC and how it is vital in promoting diversity and genuine inclusivity in the workplace. Mx. Bula highlighted that these are essential in enabling a good working environment as a consequence of free expression. 

Meanwhile, resource speakers from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) graced the event to guide the student interns on how to ace a job interview, namely: Ms. Angelica Valerie Q. De Jesus (Business Partner – Learning and Development) and Mr. Paolo Lucero (HR Advisor – Workforce Resourcing). Their interactive talk presented some essential tips to gear up for job interviews through two perspectives: candidate and search committee perspectives. 

Both speakers shared valuable strategies, based on their experiences from both ends, to prepare for a successful job interview. The speakers have also encouraged the student interns to engage in the discussions as dealing with interviews is an inevitable step to getting hired in their future career endeavors. 

Lastly, Mr. Jeff Meguin, Founder and CEO of Strategic Learning Consultants, Inc., wrapped up the whole seminar series with his talk on finding the dream job. He tackled topics aimed to allow the attendees to think about the crucial considerations in choosing a career path. He also imparted knowledge and tips on how to navigate professional perspectives that would lead to a career driven by passion and purpose. 

 Overall, the student interns were able to gain new knowledge and perspective as they prepared themselves for the world beyond academics. Through the three-day seminar series, AMTEC wanted to impart not only its technical operations but also the practical views of the professional world among its interns. Through the years, the Center has advocated a continuous learning process not only among its seasonal interns but also among its staff.