Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal is a good watch. Taking some of my favourite quotes from it.

Story time. Three lessons I think would be helpful that connect to these quotes:

1. My mom got her bachelor’s degree from a small college in San Pablo Laguna, and my dad had to work while in college to get by. I think it’s because of these details that they wanted us to get into good schools, with nothing else to worry about but to graduate. They are amazing parents, and they did everything to get us the education my sister and I have. So yes, I do agree and feel the same way: I try not to blame the parents for wanting things for their children—things that they never had. Bribery is wrong, but parents wanting what they think is best for their children is a right of any parent to keep, especially when that desire comes from a good place.

2. Sadly, the reality of it is, schools you graduate from can, not always, affect the future. I was fortunate enough to have graduated from a good university in the Philippines, but did you know not all universities in the Philippines are treated equally especially when you apply abroad? They even have this thing called an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) that verifies whether or not that country considers your degree/diploma equivalent to theirs. A university in Toronto even rejected my application for a masters degree because they don’t recognise my degree from UST as a bachelor’s degree. So yes, sadly, the glitter has its effects.

3. My mom taught me this principle she learned from work called, 70-20-10. They say, as an adult…

70% of what you know and the skills you now have come from WORK EXPERIENCE,

20% comes from your environment, and the people you work with and surround yourself with…

And only 10% comes from formal education.

Out of the 4 years in uni, I can only name 1 principle I use in my career today. Other than that, it had no impact with what I do now as a User Experience/Software Designer. My marketing job of 3 years tho—that’s where I got it all from. So, despite the glitter, careers boil down to how well you can function as an employee, not as a student.

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It may be a different circumstance for you, but whoever you are, I hope reality won’t limit you from being the best version of yourself. No matter what your background is, I hope you find and keep the strength to work hard for a career that brings you and your loved ones pride and fulfilment.