Career planning is something that everyone should prepare for. Even though it does not have a blueprint, having the right and successful people to guide you will help in starting your career on the right foot. For the past years, venture has been part of the events offered by the UST Legal Management Society (UST-LMS) through focusing on business management. But, for this year, the event discussed career planning and youth development. With more than 100 participants, Venture: A Ticket to Success thrivingly guided, enlightened, and taught its participants the way through their possible future careers, goals, and aspirations.

Discovering where you belong

Entering the real world after college could feel quite daunting with so many things going on. In this year's Venture, Mathew Rotea eased the worries of students about jobs by delivering a talk on finding work where you belong. He gave out resume tips such as what are the do's and don'ts in writing one, what to do before applying to the company and during interviews. Rotea also suggested researching about the company, understanding your purpose and goals in life, asking questions, and not overselling yourself. In other words, answer straight to the point — don't hesitate!

"Don't just apply for the sake of applying, really understand what your purpose and goal is in life because if you don't like what you are doing you're just wasting time — and you won't feel fulfilled at the end of the day." Rotea said.

He also reminded students that the experience from college organizations is as important as internships, such as moments on the field teaching people soft skills, which are also needed in the workfield. When asked where people can find their first internship, Rotea said that students should ask their respective universities if they offer internships, they can also use websites such LinkedIn, Facebook groups, and they can look for companies they are interested in and see if these companies are looking for interns.

Motivation, goals and career

For some, success can be a long road of failures and achievements. Sometimes, it feels like driving down a smooth road; other days, it feels like racing down a slippery slope. Either way, the ticket to success could be confusing and overwhelming.

Motivation, goals, career; three short words that carry great significance in one's lives. The event also had Juan Mapua-Banal, an influential educator and a successful businessman, as a guest speaker to highlight those three points. There are several external factors that affect a person's motivation, and each one of us faces questions, such as the "why's" of life. He emphasized that the "why" is a huge factor deeply rooted in one's self-awareness, such as grasping one's strengths, weaknesses, and things that one can and cannot control.

"We're all created differently, and we're all created with strengths and weaknesses built in within our system, and the sooner you embrace the reality of that, then the easier it is for you to be clear about your 'why,'" Mapua-Banal said.

He also added that defining your why can serve as your foundation, proving that no matter what happens, addressing and clarifying our questions and figuring out our places in life could be the first step to success.

Each career has different goals that cater to unique individuals; paths will vary. Mapua-Banal advised to take some time in acknowledging failures while a person is still at the bottom of the chain, emphasizing that there is room for improvement — take risks, ask questions and find answers, keep trying.

"The only time we stop learning is when we are six feet underground. As long as we are alive, we are learning," he stressed.

Equipping yourselves with knowledge from the basics of success truly comes from within — taking things slow matter; but, don't stop doing what you're doing! You got this!

Finding your purpose

Establishing and keeping your business afloat could be challenging, but Isabella Zotter, the third guest speaker of Venture proved otherwise. She shared how finding one's purpose is vital in making a business successful.

"I felt that at this moment [making candles], I found my purpose," Zotter said as she expressed how her company, Wick it! Candles, started.

Like any other business, Wick it! Candles also faced challenges. She reminded the participants and potential business owners that experiencing such conditions is completely normal. What good business goes without facing rough waters, anyway?

"Sometimes we think that problems will break us but in the end, it will make us stronger," Zotter said.

She also encouraged everyone to embrace uncertainties and doubts as they are part of the venture to success. The bottom line; it is alright if you haven't figured it out yet — someday, it will all make sense.

To her talk, Zotter reminded everyone to "ENJOY THE RIDE!" Embrace and enjoy this season of life.

Now we know: success is not something that reaches someone easily, but it is something worth striving for. Take pauses, encompass yourselves with positive energy, and give your success the time to reach you while you work for it — good things come to those who keep trying; don't stop until you reach your definition of success.