USM Equips Class of 2026 with Job Search Skills Before Graduation

Before receiving their diplomas, graduating students of the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) took part in a Job Information Seminar that prepared them for one of the biggest transitions after college—finding their first job.

Organized through the Office of Student Affairs – Counseling and Career Department under the leadership of Prof. Maria Angelika T. Balungay, the seminar gave students practical knowledge on employment, job applications, and workplace expectations before they officially entered the workforce.

The first seminar gathered 1,577 graduating students from the College of Agriculture, College of Engineering and Information Technology, College of Human Ecology and Food Sciences, College of Health Sciences, College of Trades and Industries, and College of Veterinary Medicine.

Participants attended a Labor Education session facilitated by Ms. Rica Mea R. Repugal, Labor and Employment Officer II of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) XII Cotabato Field Office, followed by a Pre-Employment Coaching Session led by Prof. Lloyd Anton Von M. Colita of the USM College of Arts and Social Sciences’ Department of English Language and Literature.

During the coaching session, Prof. Colita discussed the realities of today’s job market, including the growing influence of artificial intelligence in different industries. He also shared practical tips on preparing effective resumés and application letters, along with techniques for answering interview questions with confidence.

Another batch of 1,562 graduating students from the College of Arts and Social Sciences, College of Business, Development Economics and Management, College of Education, College of Human Kinetics, College of Science and Mathematics, and the Institute of Middle East and Asian Studies also attended the seminar.

For the second batch, the Labor Education session was facilitated by Ms. Donna Mae O. Baron, Labor and Employment Officer II of DOLE XII CFO, while the Pre-Employment Coaching Session was conducted by Mr. John Marlo Soriano, an educator from Douglas High School in Arizona, USA.

Aside from discussing job application strategies and interview preparation, Soriano also arranged a mock interview session with a school principal from the United States. The activity gave students the opportunity to experience an actual interview setting, helping them build confidence and improve their communication skills before applying for employment.

With more than 3,100 graduating students participating in the two seminars, the initiative aimed to ensure that members of the USM Class of 2026 leave the university not only with academic knowledge but also with practical skills and a better understanding of what employers look for as they begin their professional careers.