Bridging Education to Employment: Universidad De Manila Guides 2,860 Graduating Students Toward Economic Self-Reliance
Universidad De Manila (UDM) reinforced its commitment to SDG 1 – No Poverty through a week-long Graduating Students’ Transition and Career Orientation Program, held from March 21 to 28, 2025 at Justice Cecilia Palma Hall, Main Campus. The event mobilized both academic leaders and student support units to prepare 2,860 graduating students from 27 degree programs for their transition into the workforce and professional life.
Led by Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Ronald A. Herrera, alongside key administrators such as Registrar Head Loida J. Primavera, Guidance and Psychological Services Head Arlene C. Pureza, University Library Head Flordeliza M. Rubio, and Student Activities Head Dr. Rosalie M. Catu, the program delivered critical advisories on career pathways, job placement services, documentation requirements, and graduation protocols.
The orientation went beyond procedural briefing. It functioned as a university-wide poverty alleviation mechanism by equipping future graduates—many of whom are first-generation college students—with job market readiness strategies, mental wellness support, access to job fairs, and linkages to public and private employment networks.
UDM’s large concentration of graduates in high-impact fields such as Nursing (144), Information Technology (406), Hospitality Management (365), Public Administration (119 combined), Business Administration specializations (462), and Criminology (163) reflects the institution’s role as a workforce feeder to national and local labor demands. The presence of future educators, engineers, psychologists, social workers, and communication specialists further positions UDM as a crucial contributor to inclusive social mobility in the City of Manila.
By institutionalizing structured career exit support, UDM demonstrates that access to higher education must culminate in gainful employment and financial stability, not just academic completion. The initiative stands as clear evidence of UDM’s alignment not only with SDG 1 (No Poverty) but also SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
UDM’s message is firm: graduating is not the end point—it is a gateway to dignified work and economic independence.
