CCA Online Career Pathing Seminar: Notes for Graduating Students

Seminar Overview and Logistics

  • Event Context: This session is an online career pathing seminar conducted via Google Meet, specifically designed for graduating students of the City College of Angeles (CCA). Programs represented include BS Entrepreneurship, BS Tourism Management, BS Accountancy, and BS Accounting Information System.
  • Moderator/Host Reminders:
    • The webinar is recorded for documentation purposes.
    • All attendees must remain on mute and keep videos off except during the Question and Answer (Q&A) or open forum session.
    • Photo documentation occurs at the conclusion of the activity.
  • Attendance and Certification:
    • Attendance is tracked via the initial Google Meet entry and a post-evaluation Google Form posted at the end of the event.
    • Failure to complete the evaluation promptly (e.g., remaining in the meet for only 44 or 55 minutes) may result in forfeiture of the certificate of attendance.
    • E-certificates are issued only once all three seminars in the career placement activities series are completed. The seminar dates are April 3030, May 1212, and May 1818 (rescheduled from May 1515).
  • Opening Prayer: The session began with an invocation focused on justice, charity, and the role of the students as true leaders for community development and nation-building.

Speaker Profile: Mr. Adrian Sampang, CPA, CTT

  • Professional Credentials:
    • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Tax Technician (CTT), both earned in the year 20252025.
  • Academic Achievement:
    • Magna Cum Laude graduate of City College of Angeles (CCA), Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, Class of 20242024.
    • Recognized as the Batch Valedictorian of 20242024.
  • Current Role:
    • Accountant at Brainbox Philippines, managing Australian clients and various projects across Australia, specifically within the construction industry involving diverse locations and contract types.
  • Prior Experience and Leadership:
    • Accounting Intern at Scrubnet Global Service Incorporated (20242024).
    • Finance Committee Chairperson of Kayanatin Youth Analyst.
    • External Vice President of CCA Campus Youth Ministry.
    • Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Academics, Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA) - CCA Chapter (2021−20222021-2022).
    • Local Chapter President of JPIA-CCA (20232023).
    • Regional Council President, National Federation of Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (NFJPIA), Region 33 (2023−20242023-2024).
  • Awards and Recognition:
    • Student Leadership Award (20232023 and 20242024).
    • Huwarang Mag-aaral ng Luzon (20242024) award, naming him one of the Top 1010 Outstanding Students in Region 33.
    • Outstanding Regional Council President and Outstanding Local Chapter President (NFJPIA Region 33) during the awards night (20232023 and 20242024).
    • Top 4040 Delegate of the NFJPIA National Leadership Summit.

Adrian Sampang’s Journey: From Student to Professional

  • Academic Timeline:
    • The Pandemic Era (2020−20212020-2021): Entered college during the pandemic season as part of the first batch of online learners. Balanced roles as a full-time student and academic quizzer while adjusting to qualifying exams for the BSA program.
    • Leadership and Growth (2021−20222021-2022): Became a student leader in JPIA. Faced challenges in time management due to overwhelming second-year subjects and high expectations.
    • Org Duties and Qualifying Exams (2022−20232022-2023): Balanced heavy organizational duties with qualifying exams, particularly in Law subjects.
    • The Internship Year (2023−20242023-2024): Served as Regional President while completing an internship. Highlighted as the most challenging yet rewarding year.
    • Board Preparations (2024−20252024-2025): Transitioned from a part-time reviewee back and forth to a full-time reviewee.
  • The CPA Review Experience:
    • Balanced a part-time job with review initially from October to December. Realized the physical and mental strain of on-site work and online review.
    • Committed to full-time online review from January to March 20252025.
    • Experienced significant financial struggles and felt the need to step up and provide for himself and his family.
    • Passed the CPA board exam in October 20252025.
  • CCA’s Contribution:
    • Academic: Provided the theoretical knowledge and practical applications of accounting.
    • Leadership: Empowered him from a shy individual to a confident public speaker with strong interpersonal skills.
    • Social Civic: Increased social awareness through community outreach and volunteer work.
    • Professional: the CCA network and internship priority helped him secure roles in BPO companies that value the discipline and commitment of CCA graduates.

Five Career Tips for Aspiring Accountants

  1. Assess Your Situation: Understand your financial capacity, personal strengths, and goals. Decide if you will take the board exam immediately, work first to gain experience, or apply accounting knowledge without the CPA title.
  2. Set Direction Ahead of Time: Start planning your career path years before graduation. Establishing a clear goal early builds confidence.
  3. Seize Opportunities: Grab all opportunities that come your way, regardless of size. Small experiences can lead to major career breakthroughs.
  4. Trust the Process: Boost self-esteem when applying for jobs. Fresh graduates without experience can start in small firms to build technical assets and capacities before moving to the "Big Four" firms.
  5. Stay Competitive and Marketable: While grades and Latin honors have weight, industry marketability is determined by commitment, discipline, and relevant skills. Continuous self-improvement is essential for staying relevant against other board passers and experienced professionals.

Speaker Profile: Mr. John Percival "Percy" DiMarucut

  • Professional Role: Current Sales Manager at Royce Hotel and Casino.
  • Previous Career History:
    • Junior Sales Manager and Events/Promotions Associate at Royce Hotel and Casino.
    • Print Specialist at Digital Room Incorporation.
    • Account Executive at Chef Vince Garcia Culinary Group (Digital marketing and sales reporting).
    • MVIP Casino Host at Midori Clark Hotel and Casino.
    • Travel Specialist at Teletek (International airline concerns).
    • Event Coordinator at Events and Concepts by Voltaire de la Mea.
  • Education: Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management, CCA Batch 20192019.
  • Certifications:
    • NC III TESDA for Events Management.
    • NC I TESDA for Front Office Services.
    • WorldSpan and Sabre Air Travel Services 11 and 22.
    • Licensed Financial Adviser at FWD (20242024).

Career Skills for 2026 and Beyond

  • Life After Books and Deadlines: Life shifts from following academic rules to independent professionalism. Mr. DiMarucut identifies critical skills for the year 20262026 and beyond:
    1. Communication Skills: Focus on active listening before expressing ideas. Professionalism is required across academic, workplace, and digital environments.
    2. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Moving beyond memorization to solve real-world industry challenges.
    3. Digital Literacy: Fundamental proficiency in Excel, Outlook, and Publisher is expected. Use technologies like AI to improve information spreading, not as a replacement for core skills.
    4. Time Management: Prioritize tasks to avoid salary deductions. Professionalism requires being at least 1515 minutes early.
    5. Teamwork and Collaboration: Emphasizes "Makisama" (getting along) and respecting diverse perspectives in group settings.
    6. Adaptability and Learning Mindset: The industry mantra is "Adapt or Die." Be prepared to unlearn outdated practices to remain relevant.
    7. Financial Awareness: Distinguish between "needs" and "wants." Avoid "deserve" culture that leads to overspending. Recommended savings rate is at least 20 %20\, \% of salary for long-term security.
    8. Networking: Maintain relationships with mentors and industry professionals for character references.
    9. Self-Awareness: Understand your personal strengths to make better career choices.
    10. Ethical Thinking: Take responsibility for all professional decisions to build credibility.

Core Values of City College of Angeles (CCA)

  • Excellence: Commitment to quality service, professionalism, and exceeding expectations.
  • Resiliency: The ability to recover from challenges—exhaust all resources before giving up.
  • Stewardship: Taking responsibility for managing and caring for resources, people, and the environment.
  • Patrimony: Honoring cultural heritage, historical values, and natural resources passed down through generations.

Questions & Discussion

  • Question (On Rejection): How did you handle rejection or setbacks during your career journey?
    • Response (Percy): Rejection is common when applying for a different career path or a position requiring skills you haven't mastered yet. Even as a property manager and student council member, Percy faced setbacks. The key is in how you present yourself and your qualifications. Use failure as a time to breathe and cope properly.
  • Question (On Hardest Challenges): What was your greatest challenge as a fresh graduate?
    • Response (Percy): Graduating in 20192019, just before the pandemic, was highly aggressive. The source of income became a major concern. Advice: Take one month after graduation for refreshment and "air to breathe" before starting the work grind.
  • Question (On Workplace Realities): What are some realities students should prepare for?
    • Response (Percy): Be prepared for office politics and "credit grabbers." Older generations might be harder on fresh graduates. You must be accountable for every "one wrong move" and learn to be humble while maintaining your core values. To earn a bigger salary, you must adapt to the specific culture of the company.

Awarding of Certificates and Closing Procedures

  • Certificate Citation: Mr. John Percival DiMarucut was awarded a certificate of appreciation for his insightful contribution as a resource speaker on May 1212, 20262026. The certificate was signed by Ms. Eden Dizon (VP for Administration) and Mr. Vijay Sebastian (Chief Administrative Officer).
  • Post-Event Requirements:
    • Evaluation forms are open until 5 PM5\, \text{PM}.
    • Contact the "Alumni Affairs and Student Placement Office" Facebook page for issues; students are instructed not to message officers' personal accounts.
    • The cumulative seminar series involves three events (04/3004/30, 05/1205/12, and 05/1805/18) to earn the participation certificate.
    • A monitoring system is in place for attendance; students do not need to type names in the chat box.