Meet your First Batch of Tutors for Open Notes

As kids, we were taught to listen and learn from our parents, guardians, and teachers. As we grow older, we realize that we can also learn from our friends, classmates, and people we look up to online. You don’t have to learn from the most high-earning, successful, and seasoned professionals to gain knowledge and similarly, you don’t have to be a mega expert at a topic to share what you know. 

This is exactly what our new Open Notes: Tutor Sessions is trying to do. Happening from July 30 to August 1, Open Notes is a series of masterclasses for students, taught by students themselves who, despite still being in school, have been able to build extensive knowledge and experience on subjects they are passionate about. 

For our first batch of tutors and classes, we have Sofia Manzano, entrepreneur and founder of Paragon Pieces, on Entrepreneurship 101: Setting up an Online Business; Macy Lee, Student Activist, founder of Talang Dalisay and My State of Mind, on the roots of empathic leadership and starting a youth-led non-profit; and Marla Abao, entrepreneur and founder of WiTech on jumpstarting your career in tech. We spoke to them via email to learn more about their topics for our first-ever Open Notes.

Can you tell us something about yourself? What are you working on right now?

Sofia: At the age of 13 — out of a mix of curiosity, the urge to do something new, and the desire to earn some sort of income— I set up Paragon Pieces with my sister. Little did I know that 8 years later, it would still be up and running and that it would be a success. Today, I’m a sophomore at Ateneo de Manila University, taking up AB Development Studies because I hope to be a social entrepreneur one day. 

Macy: [I’m] an incoming junior at the University of California, Davis. I’m currently double majoring in Psychology & International Relations and a speaker, writer, mental health activist and video creator. I founded Talang Dalisay which is a mental health non-profit based in the Philippines, and My State of Mind which is a global branch of that non-profit that is based in over 15+ countries worldwide and expanding rapidly as clubs in University of California schools. In my speaking, writing, and invitations I have worked with Netflix, Google, UC Davis, UC Berkeley, etc. 

Marla: I’m currently an incoming fourth-year B.S. Industrial Engineering student studying in UP Diliman and a Solutions Specialist intern at Microsoft. Prior to that, I went to PSHS-Main Campus in high school where I became one of the founding members (and now incorporator) of WiTech! In the end, my goal is to be able to create and leverage different technologies and technology solutions to help make the world a better place.

What can we expect from your tutor session? 

Sofia: I hope that my session helps you look at [our situation] in a new light and all the opportunities with it. In my session, you’ll learn all the bare essentials in starting your own online business, the tools you need to make it successful, and the right foundation to get you through your journey of being an entrepreneur.

Macy: My tutor session will really focus on the roots and importance of empathic leadership and how to effectively start a non-profit. There has been an influx of youth-led initiatives which is great, but to be able to continue this progress in our country, I think it’s important to see the untapped and untalked part of running an organization. I also want to touch on the importance of fulfilling a lifelong advocacy even after one’s time at a particular organization. I will also have a resource part in my talk to help people start their involvement in non-profits, as well as how to balance this as a student.

Marla: Definitely a high-level overview of how the tech industry works and different ways to be able to get into it. We’ll be discussing the diversity in the industry as a whole and the different career paths, skills, and specializations one could take outside of the usual technical coding skills most people expect. We’ll also be looking into different resources to learn more about coding and how you could progress!

What do your students need to prepare before entering your class?

Sofia: Nothing short of the desire to learn and the willingness to try something new. I’ll try my best to provide you with a map, a compass, and the tools you’ll need to get through it, but the journey is wholly yours. So I hope you enter with some level of enthusiasm and eagerness and leave with a newfound sense of determination.

Macy: Please have an open heart, mind, and charge yourself up for enthusiasm! There will be mini activities in between points in the talk so prepare as well to talk to your peers or engage in the chat box. I’m so excited to see what you all have to share in the class and looking forward to seeing your growth in the future! 

Marla: No need to prepare anything beforehand except their excited selves willing to learn more about tech. All the relevant resources will be mentioned during the workshop for the students to get into themselves afterward! Also, be ready to be as interactive as possible so we maximize learning.

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You can join the first ever Open Notes: Tutor Sessions for only P110 per seat! To sign up, visit http://go.edukasyon.ph/OpenNotes.