The need to support Filipino working students calls for urgency now more than ever.
According to CHED data, the dropout rate in universities and colleges as of school year 2023-2024 is 35.15%, citing the need to work as one of the main causes. It is increasingly critical to provide working students with the support they need to balance work and education for workforce readiness and national development.
Recognizing this challenge, Mapúa Malayan Digital College (MMDC), the country’s premier digital-first college, has made quality education more affordable and accessible for working students. MMDC offers the flexibility, tools, and technology needed to support learners as they balance work and school. Among its offerings is a flexible BS Information Technology program with specializations in in-demand fields such as Software Development, Network and Cybersecurity, and Data Analytics. For those who may not have the time or resources to pursue a full degree, MMDC also offers the Career Leap Pad Certification Program—a curated set of microcredential courses that equip learners with the necessary skills to thrive in careers like virtual assistance, marketing, and technology.
MMDC has also spearheaded the Step Up sa Pangarapmovement to empower and support working students alongside education advocates and organizations like Contact Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP), IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), and Digital Marketing Association of the Philippines (DMAP). It also provides its students with opportunities for internship and employment through its partner employers such as Microsoft, McDonald’s Philippines, 7-Eleven, RCBC, Concentrix, and Sutherland.
In support of its mission of transforming the lives of working students, MMDC has launched National Working Students Day on March 21 to celebrate the achievements of working students and inspire them to continue pushing forward until they finish their college degrees. As part of the celebration, MMDC hosted “Hustle and Thrive 2025,” an event dedicated to honor working students and create opportunities for professional development.
The Challenges of Balancing Work and Education
For many working students, balancing work and education is not an option but a necessity. Norly Aton, 25, is a student at MMDC while working as a full-time sales professional. He admitted that, due to his job, he didn’t think earning a college degree was still possible. When he learned about MMDC, he eagerly took the exam and enrolled.
“MMDC really helped me, not just academically, but professionally and emotionally as well. We practice the PPC (Projects, Problems, Cases) model, which is very helpful for a working student like me. The learnings I’m getting from my program are aligned with my work,” Aton said. “To be honest, the first term was very challenging for me. I only had three subjects, but I had difficulty managing both work and school. But I’m glad I powered through and started to adjust. For the last three consecutive terms, I’ve been doing a full load of six subjects and I’m still able to manage my work commitments. MMDC’s learning style and flexible schedule have really helped me with that.”
Understanding working students’ challenge of balancing work and education, MMDC’s fully online programs were designed with a flexible schedule that allows students to gain real-world experiences in the workplace while earning a college degree.
MMDC’s hands-on Projects, Problems, and Cases (PPC) learning model equips students with practical, in-demand skills essential for today’s workplace. Instead of traditional exams, MMDC assesses students through output-based evaluations, allowing them to develop key competencies such as critical thinking, leadership, creativity, analysis, and collaboration—all vital for success in the modern workforce.
Aton also expressed his gratitude for MMDC’s academic coaches—industry professionals who help students understand concepts from synchronous classes with professors and provide guidance on their outputs. As a working student with ambitious academic and career goals, he values the support of his mentors, knowing he can rely on them for guidance. “MMDC mentors are so supportive when you consult them about your professional goals. When a student has a question about the course or needs advice, he/she can book a one-on-one mentoring session with his/her coach,” he explained.
Aton is now in his third year of college and set to earn his degree next year. Recognized for his outstanding ability to excel in both his work and studies, he was recently honored as one of The Outstanding Working Students of MMDC at the Hustle and Thrive event.
Staying Competitive in an Evolving Market
Charm Las Piñas, 31, a second-year student who also works full-time as a secretary of their family business, shares that one of her professional goals is to learn how to start and manage a business of her own. As a working student, she claims that her MMDC education enables her to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving business landscape.
“In my experience with MMDC, I believe that our education keeps pace with the changing demands of the market, especially now that there’s AI. There’s worry from some professionals about being replaced by AI. Through my studies, I’ve realized that if you know how to utilize AI, even in simple tools and learn them gradually, you can upskill and become more competitive in the job market. You can still thrive in the corporate or freelance workforce,” Charm said.
With MMDC’s upgraded learning model, students can take advantage of AI tools and access a wide array of content from top universities and organizations across the world. This improves their AI literacy and global competitiveness.
Accessible Digital Education
Further empowering working students, MMDC has made its program offerings more accessible through scholarships. In some cases, the digital college also offers different payment terms or alternatives, as shared by Keilah Garcia, an Integrated Advisor at MMDC.
“Even though they are working, we see that MMDC students are really determined to finish their studies, though there were instances when they weren’t able to pay on time. So, knowing their concerns, we, integrated advisers, try to adapt and provide them with solutions, like offering installment payment terms or connecting them with our partner banks for loans. As much as possible, we try to do these just so their financial struggles wouldn’t be a hindrance to their studies,” she said.
The National Working Students Day celebration also aims to empower non-graduates who are considering going back to school and obtaining a college degree to finally do it. Now is a better time than ever to restart college, with a fully digital college like MMDC that addresses the needs of working students and works in collaboration with a community of employers, organizations, and advocates that share the same mission of supporting and empowering working students.
“We at MMDC understand the struggles of today’s working students and we believe that they deserve a special day dedicated to their hard work. By celebrating their efforts, we not only acknowledge their perseverance and achievements but also inspire a future where learning and career growth can go hand in hand. In addition to career opportunities, National Working Students Day is also a part of MMDC’s larger vision to institutionalize recognition for working students and establish March 21 as an officially recognized holiday,” said Rita De Jesus, Director for Student Affairs at MMDC.
MMDC’s National Working Students Day underscores the institution’s commitment to making quality education accessible while equipping students with the skills and experiences necessary to thrive in the workforce. Through its program offerings, alongside collaborations with industry partners and community organizations, MMDC hopes to create a long-term movement that ensures working students receive the support and recognition they deserve.
To learn more about MMDC, visit mmdc.mcl.edu.ph/.
