Know what you value as you enter the workforce.

For fresh graduates and those who are about to embark on their final year in school, it is important to be prepared for what is out there in the “real world.”

If you know what you value the most, it should make decisions a little easier.

Coach Alexis

Reflect on your own values. What are your non-negotiables? It is more important to be clear about the things that you will NOT do, versus those that you will do—because the latter can change over time, based on environment and societal development, but the things that are rooted in your own values and principles should remain constant and consistent. 

Ask around. Better if you can ask people you trust, but there is also merit in surveying online communities for honest reviews and opinions from people who have firsthand experience with the companies you are applying to. Just be discriminating about what you will ultimately believe.

Do your research. Think about your target industries and companies and look them up online. Based on your own values, do you think you will be a good fit for your target companies? Because a good fit can help give you a good work experience.

While it is difficult to be picky when you are just starting out, with little to no experience under your belt, it pays to do your research before accepting the first job offer that you get. However, it is also important to consider your current realities: Can you afford to be picky? Do you have the luxury of waiting for the right fit? 

These are just some of the things that our Founder and Head Coach Alexis Torres shared and discussed with Meralco Power Academy’s Power Camp Batch 2025 participants, a group of 26 engineering students from various universities nationwide. 

Remember that learning is not confined within the four walls of the classroom, and it always pays to be prepared when you are embarking on something new.