CATC Highlight - Competitive Edge - Well Rounded Skills

Gregory Cu and Jocelyn Cu are instructors and directors of the Cisco Networking Academy at De La Salle University in the Philippines. Both boast a strong resume, they not only work with the Networking Academy at the University but teach supplementary courses as well. Gregory and Jocelyn also provide support for the other Academies in their region and participate in the Core Council of the Philippines to establish guidelines for the Academy structure. As if that were not enough, they continually offer extra curricular opportunities to their students.

Technological advances in the Philippines have led to many more available jobs in the technology field. However, in order to obtain these jobs, students must both excel in course work and have well-developed soft skills (like communication). As the technology industry begins to corner the market on secure jobs in urban areas, like Manila, a student must acquire an edge to fit into the corner by being well rounded. Students in networking courses at De La Salle, which are mandatory for a degree in Computer Science, are encouraged to pursue classes in other areas such as marketing, sales, and engineering.

Gregory and Jocelyn also noticed that beyond a diverse set of skills a student would need to have work related experience to be competitive in the job market. So, they created partnerships with local industry to offer internships to students. By the end of their final term, students are expected to have participated in an internship and present a senior thesis. Through the internship experience and the task of defending their thesis, students gain valuable people and marketing skills.

Partnerships with local industry, job fares, and the growth of the program rely heavily on the other hat that both Gregory and Jocelyn wear: the Core Council. The Core Council of the Philippines brings together representatives from the CATC and the Regional Academies to facilitate communication and collaboration. They meet each month to discuss any updates or news in the Academy as well as plan for events such as skills competitions and trainings. The democratic nature of the Council ensures that Academies from diverse settings will voice their needs and concerns in a forum that is responsive.

Through integrated communication with the other Academies and leaders in the industry the CATC has been able to establish programs that best fit the needs of both the market and its students. Those combined factors are surely the key to the positive attitude of every member of the Networking Academy from the Philippines.

For more information:

Core Council of the Philippines

De La Salle University

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