Meeting 7 (Reflection)

An emergency meeting happened on August 28, 2014. Texts from our classmates made us nervous in that time since the message was about of our upcoming major field trip and all of us has a hint on what will be discussed in that moment. We're aware that the trending issue which was the field trip incident of Bulacan State University may affect our field trip. As we heard the big announcement, all of us complained and minds were covered by worries. especially that class are aware that the tickets which cause of thousands is not refundable. Another thing that worries me that time is the possible reaction of my parents. I know that the money for the FTS is not easy to provide and they really did their best just to provide the money that I need to attend the major field trip and I know, that I'm not alone with the concern that I have in my minds in that time. Along the discussion regarding with the major field trip, we also discussed what we will do or our plan b, c, or d if ever that our field trip will be cancelled. For me, I really don't know what will be the plan B for a situation like this especially that this case involves money. 

Meeting 6 (Reflection)

Our 6th meeting on August 22, 2014 was a different meeting from all meet-ups with the class that I attended in our FTS. The major field trip is the main concern in that meeting and it was connected to the trending news which was about the field trip accident of the tourism students.  Our professor discussed the accident and asks us if we would like to continue our trip that was set on the upcoming weeks. As the result, the class said that the said accident can’t change the decision to continue the planned major field trip. In the meeting, our president also reminded the class regarding with the payments. The type of clothes that should be wear in the major field trip was also discussed in the meeting. Though there are worries about the major field trip, the class we’re still excited about the upcoming trip.

Minor Field Trip - Synnex-Concentrix Damosa, Davao City

University of Southeastern Philippines

Bo. Obrero Campus, Davao City

TRAVEL REPORT

Minor Trip

August 27, 2014

Seminar Overview

The most exciting part of being a student having a third year standing is the Field Trip and Seminars (FTS) which is part of the University of Southeastern Philippines’ Institute of Computing curriculum. Part of the chosen model for our field trip is having a minor field trip here in Mindanao and this year, the class chose to visit Synnex-Concentrix which is located in Damosa IT Park Lanang, Davao City. The purpose of visiting Synnex- Concentrix is not only to tour and see the actual vicinity but also to earn knowledge how BPO companies works in providing services and offer their products to their clients using the evolving technologies nowadays. From visiting Synnex-Concentrix, we we’re able to meet IT professionals in line to our fields and see how our future jobs will be going which is a great pleasure to us as an IT students.

DAY 1

Visiting Synnex-Concentrix was a great experience to me. It answers all my questions regarding how IT companies works and somehow experience the real environment of the field that I chose. I discovered that Concentrix doesn’t only provide BPO services but also have a technical support teams for the Linksys products, web programmers assigned to NetGears and programmers designated to Application Development group. They also offers trainings that allows both outsiders and employees of the company which is a great advantage for them since it’s a Cisco training. We we’re able also to know that Concentrix also have many branches outside the country.

What I learned?

As we roam around maybe for two hours, I learned many things about the field that I took. I learned how Concentrix survive the competition of IT companies in the country. Before a person is hired as their official employee, he or she needs to undergo some trainings to enhance their skills for both communication and technical skills. As what our tourist guide shared to us, the company do the 10 days training to build up the skills needed. For example, if you’re good in communicating clients, you must also have the technical skills which requires your knowledge to operate computers. It only means that to be an efficient person in this field, you must strengthen your skills not only the strongest skills you have but also the weak points you have. I also learned that as an IT student and the standing we have now, we must know what field we are in. We must know what field in IT we would like to pursue so that, when the time comes as we are ready to have our jobs, we could focus and know to ourselves which field we want to apply. I also learned that in the world of IT which everything is always changing, we must not limit ourselves on the things we are comfortable to. Since people do innovates and invents new things, we must go with the flow to survive the competition.

What I like?

Aside from the place itself which has a refreshing ambiance due to the colors of the walls, I like how Concetrix motivates their employees. The company motivates their employees through giving some rewards to their top performers. One of the charts that we we’re able to see is the President Club chart which has a list of employees that continuously do their tasks efficiently and we’re able to have two years of experience in the company. As they we’re able to be part of that chart, they will got a reward like going to other places like Boracay and other amazing rewards. For me, if I will be their employee, it will really motivates me and I think, this kind of motivation for employees is really an effective one. One thing that I also like upon roaming around is that the company do have the activity areas where employees could have a break from their works. The building has an area which employees are allowed to play computer games and a silent lounge where they can take a nap for a while. As we went to Concentrix, they have some activities in that time like group picture taking with costumes, contest for t-shirt printing, and a breakfast event that managers serves their employees. I like their activities since it shows that being an employee doesn’t only have to work and work. As what our tourist guide in that day said, if you have a talent like dancing, singing, drawing, and other skills, in Concentrix, you will be able to use it and you can show it to other people like usual happenings in schools. They we’re able to enjoy through having activities which is a nice one. As what they said, “we work hard, we party harder”.

What I didn’t like?

Actually, as a student who visit an IT company for the first time, I can’t find something I don’t like in Concentrix. Instead, I was really amazed on how their employees works and how they talks. Part of their OP is speaking English as their medium in making conversations towards other employees. It made me really amazed how they speak since their accents could make my nose bleeds. Basing the vicinity itself, I also like it since it’s really refreshing so see the colors around the rooms. So to make it short, I don’t have any negative feedbacks for the company.

APPENDIX

What can I recommend for the improvement of the advance seminar program of USEP?

Visiting companies related to the course taken by the students is really important. It helps students to have a glimpse on how it will look like as they have their jobs soon. It also helps students to acquire knowledge and discover great things in line to their fields. So, I think that in visiting companies, organizers must choose companies that really have advance technologies especially for IT and CS students which really helps to understand and gives us some ideas on how IT companies works. Also, if it’s possible, maybe students could really experience the current technologies that companies uses like the devices, software and all stuffs that helps employees do their task. I believe that having those experience will really motivate students and will fully understand the chosen field.

My advice to those who will take their advance seminar program in the near future.

Based from my experience, there are many questions and clarifications will come up as roaming around or visit a particular company. So, for those who will enroll FTS and will have the chance to visit a company, flushing away your shyness is a must. It will definitely a loss for you if you will not able to ask something and discover relevant things about your future job if you let your shyness covers you. If you have questions and clarifications in mind and you’re just nervous and too shy to ask, don’t be. Instead of being afraid to speak out your concerns because you’re afraid to approach them, then being there at that company is useless. Field trip is made not only to walk around and just let the tour ends with nothing. Field trip is made to learn something new, to earn knowledge, to be motivated by what you had discover. Also, as they visit a company or attending a seminar related to the course, lessons or important information relevant to the course must be put into mind since it could be a big help for you in the present and in the future.

PICTURES

Company Visit at Synnex-Concentrix

"Proposal Experience"

Shaking and sweating of hands, not full of butterflies but like there was a zoo in my stomach is what I felt in presenting my proposal in front of the class. In my years of existence, that day was one of the most intense moment in my life. It’s not new to me to stand in front and say something about a particular thing since we used to do it even in high school and elementary but that time was different. Though I’m ready to present my idea in the class and already familiarize my speech about my proposal, the worries and the uneasiness was still there. Many had tried and most of our classmate were failed to have a yes from our facilitator which makes me more nervous like I was going to faint anytime. Because of the nervous that I felt in that time, I was having doubts to continue and present my idea because of the continuous NO that we heard from our facilitator. But in the end, I took time to find my guts to stand up and try my best and luck, and expecting that I will have the boo sign in my idea. I just think in that time that even though my idea will be not accepted, at least I tried. At least, I have no regrets and I find the results. That thought was my motivation to continue and stand up with courage in the class. Surprisingly, lucky me that my idea was accepted though my words in explaining my idea were jumbled. Being accepted in that time was the best moment. That moment was like I won a million of pesos in a Lotto and make my smile so wide expanded up to my ears. The experience of presenting my idea was really a helpful one and serves as a reminder to me. It thought me that as there are opportunities in your hand, grab it and do your best to achieve it especially in the world of IT industry were everything is a competition. It reminds me that doubts and being coward to any instances will just result into regrets and just letting the opportunity to fly away.