Campus Life: The Art in Career, The Career in Art

As a celebration of National Arts Month, Cavite School of Humanities and Arts, Department of Industrial Arts lead a whole-day program entitled "Building A Better Future: Art and Career" wherein Licensed Architects and Interior Designers from SMDC's prime community builders, along with the renown furniture makers of SB furniture were invited to give a talk.

The program was held inside the Campus Amphitheater wherein hundreds of students especially graduating ones gladly attended. Architect Lee Estrella, a Senior Principal gave the first talk about the things to consider when choosing a course and looking for a job. It was undeniably interactive as Architect Lee allowed the students to raise their questions in the middle of the discussion. There are lots of concerns from students that are struggling between the course they want and the course that their parents wanted for them. Architect Lee responded that we, students must weigh things properly for he himself was forced to dismiss Architecture since his parents cannot afford his education but he decided to pursue it and become a working student in order to finance his own.

I fully agree with him as someone who has almost the same story. I've met a lot of people who weren't able to take the courses they long wanted and dream of, and most especially the courses that they will be good at, and they told me that they regret it. I am working as a freelance artist and writer while studying and it is really hard. I will never sugarcoat it. I am lacking sleep trying to make ends meet, I never had a budget for the petty things, but it was worth it for I am graduating with Latin Honor. At the same time, I was able to make my credential in the art scene which provides me lots of commissions, projects, invitations, and sponsorship as well. Everything is worthy. Our passion isn't always sweet for, at times, it will require us to sacrifice. But as per Architect Lee himself, it will be all worthy on the other side.

The whole program went well, it was tiring yet fulfilling as I saw how enlightened and inspired my fellow students— my fellow artists were after. Knowing that we are in a society where struggling artists like us are given a little chance to showcase our creativity in a way that we will be able to make a living but this is surely just the beginning. I would say that it would be better for us to make sacrifices now, and live the next decades of our lives to the fullest than pull it the other way around. Our dream is truly expensive not just in terms of money but in different aspects as well but it will surely pay off.