This Accountancy Graduate Shares Her Success Story as a Working Student

How can you juggle work, life, and studies? It is challenging to balance them, but Michelle Yap – Gutierrez, a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (BSA) graduate and an audit associate, managed to do it with passion and confidence.

Like most of us, Michelle has also experienced challenges in life. Her parents died when she was only 12 years old. Thus, she had to work at an early age to provide for herself and her sister’s needs. She had to be strong and brave for both of them, and despite her hardships, Michelle did not stop dreaming and pursuing to get a degree.

It was necessary for Michelle to balance her schedule between school and work. She had to travel from Manila to her workplace in Makati in 30 to 45 minutes. Commuting and working could be tiring as it is. Add schoolwork to her plate, and there’d be no wonder why Michelle would experience fatigue. Like any young student who had to take on different roles, dropping out of school crossed her mind. But, she had a stronger motivation not to quit. These hardships made her realize that she was more capable than she imagined. 

Moreover, studying at National Teachers College allowed her to be more than just a student. According to Michelle, before studying at NTC, she did not have many friends, and entering college at her age gave her worries and fears. But, she was able to overcome these challenges because of the community she found at NTC.

On top of finding besties who journey with her through thick and thin, Michelle was grateful for the learning environment that NTC provided her. She says, “NTC helps working students like me because they have a flexible schedule. The admission office allowed me to pick class schedules that would cater to my needs as a working student, and the location was also accessible. I did not have any second thoughts about enrolling at NTC at that time. I believe it was the best option for me as a working student.”

NTC values students’ perseverance to pursue their dreams as they make ends meet. They have the opportunity to grow and build themselves in an environment where they are supported, like Michelle.

“During my Junior year in BSA, we were allowed to choose and apply for our OJT Hosts. I landed as an intern in one of the top 4 accounting firms in the country. It was a dream come true as I knew it would open doors of opportunities in my future career,” she recalls. 

Michelle was indeed a success story. “Three months after my internship, they gave me a job offer. Now, I am working for them as an Audit Associate,” she shares. For her, it was one of the unexpected benefits that she experienced from being a student at NTC. It helped her to advance in her career in no time.

If you’re also a working student looking for the best partner in education and in life, NTC is a top choice! Just like Michelle, you will realize that you have the power to achieve your personal goals while supporting your family. Who says you can’t be more than one thing at once? Go for it!