Scholarship / Strong Networking Skills: What does it really mean? [3]

Chevening is looking for individuals with strong networking skills, who will engage with the Chevening community and influence and lead others in their chosen profession. Explain how you meet this requirement, using clear examples of your networking skills, and outline how you hope to use these skills in the future.

(minimum word count: 100 words, maximum word count: 500 words) Word Count:

Your opinions, suggestions, and corrections will be greatly appreciated. Gracias!

independence in networking

One must be independent to be able to build interdependence. That is the essence of networking. When I volunteered in OYB, a majority of the volunteers cannot afford college which will deem them to stop their studies. The moment I heard about a scholarship in Holy Child Colleges of Butuan, my initiative is to meet with the focal person. After I and the Guidance Counselor shared the purposes of the institution we represent, we agreed that I will give a list of volunteers who can be recommended as scholars. These volunteers are now young professionals. When my teaching contract ended in BFCS, a parent who co-owned Mom's Finest Buffet Palace offered me a managerial job. That was the time that I waited for the result of my application in the government sector. Nevertheless, I was surprised for the offer but I accepted it. Working outside my comfort zone is a challenge. There are staffs who questioned my abilities. In order to bridge the gap, I asked a friend from the government sector to partner with me and initiate training in Quarter Master's Course. Through the training, I and my staffs became more connected in sustaining the quality of service the restaurant offers. Presently, I have a good communication with people from my previous work. We give updates about each other through emails, Facebook, Instagram and sometimes meet in person. We also call each other whenever we need each other's help. It is great to have good networks of friends and I am still building more.

Recently a 10 feet high flood hit our community which affected the houses and livelihood of the community. Food supplies ran out and no money to sustain themselves. Therefore I spoke with our church leaders and fellow young professionals to raise funds in order to help the affected community. In the end, we transported relief goods to at least 30 families in Barangay Buhangin. Moreover, the lack of school supplies affects the academic performance of pupils. It is sad to note that this is a common scenario in the Philippine public schools. In order to help, I reached out to my fellow alumni to donate school supplies for the school. Presently the pupils of Buhangin Elementary School are using the donated school supplies.

Education is the key to liberate ourselves from ignorance and to ensure the future of our country. To see the youth benefit from good educational system especially the deprived and the poor. There will be a great chance for a developed Philippines. With my networking skills, I will reach out to other NGO's, Government Offices, and private individuals who share the vision of building positive change and development in the Philippines. I will integrate Chevening's vision to every conference, seminars and other events that I will conduct. I will invite fellow Chevening alumni to partner with me to speak and facilitate in such events and altogether we will serve as benefactors for the sustainable development of the Philippines.

Scholarship / Leadership and Influence: How leaders exhibit leadership and influence? [3]

Chevening is looking for individuals who will be future leaders or influencers in their home countries. Explain how you meet this requirement, using clear examples of your own leadership and influencing skills to support your answer.

(minimum word count: 100 words, maximum word count: 500 words) Word Count:476
Please, I need your corrections and thoughts about. Thank you!

contribution to the society

A leader inspires followers to do more for the common good and make the vision into reality. My leadership experience started when I volunteered in our church youth organization. We reach out struggling young people such as dropouts, delinquent juveniles and even those who are related to drug trade. I realized this to be a challenge therefore as the president I instituted groups to have a scheduled session with specified youth to establish a good rapport, friendship and to tutor them in their lessons. Then, I organized team building activities and camps to encourage communication and character development. We also let them join summer outreached programs visiting tribes, giving relief goods and feeding program for children. It takes patience, consistency, and integrity to stand as a role model and a leader worthy to be followed by these young people. All the hard work paid off since they are now professionals and are currently leading the organization continuing the work that we started and I with my team are current supporters.

Another experience that molded my leadership skills is when I was asked by the co-owner of a Restaurant to take the position as a store manager. When I accepted it, I discovered that the store faced problems such as low salaries, dissatisfied workers, weak sales, and poor management since the previous manager went AWOL. I do not have a business management background, therefore, I considered it a dare and used my background in management and supervision in education as a stepping stone.Firstly, I paid close attention to supervision and sales where I formed a team to mainly work on catering services and promotions. Inside the store hygiene, improving the menu and proper deployment of people were well monitored. These initiatives resulted in an increase of sales, teamwork, good communication between owners and employees helped me create a lighter atmosphere and be more productive. I was also able to convince the owners to increase the wages of the employees and was even awarded for their contributions to the increase of sales.

Though I enjoyed my job in the restaurant, I wanted to practice my teaching profession. My first assignment as an appointed teacher in the public was in Maguinda, a far mountainous area in Butuan. The school has classroom issue since most of the rooms are makeshifts which are not conducive for learning. Since most of us are newly assigned, including our head teacher we mostly assist each other in managing the school. I, with my co-workers, orchestrated fundraising programs for two years just to finish one classroom for the pupils.

With Chevening scholarship and the knowledge I will gain from my studies in the UK, I would be able to contribute to the development of Philippine education in a wider range. To create programs that would assist students from the poor community, especially those who are potential leaders.