NDKC Guidance Personnel Attend 3rd Provincial Career Advocacy Congress 2026
By: Xyriel C. Tolentino, RPm
In keeping with its commitment to quality student services and comprehensive career guidance, Notre Dame of Kidapawan College (NDKC), through its Guidance Services, Scholarships, and Testing Center (GSSTC), participated in the 3rd Provincial Career Advocacy Congress held on October 7–8, 2026, at Park-Lay Suites in Kidapawan City.
Representing NDKC were Director Carel G. Caoile, MAGC, RGC, Jessa Adrein E. Gonzaga, RPm, and Xyriel C. Tolentino, RPm. The two-day congress was organized under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) XII’s Career Development Support Program (CDSP), through its Cotabato Field Office, in partnership with the Provincial Government of Cotabato and the Network of Career Guidance Counselors & Advocates of Cotabato Province (NCGCA-CotProv).
Now in its third year, the congress aimed to strengthen the competencies and collaborative efforts of career guidance counselors and advocates through sessions on career development, labor market trends, digital literacy, school safety, and psychosocial wellness. The event also provided a platform for knowledge-sharing and inter-agency collaboration to enhance the delivery of responsive career guidance services to local communities.
Beyond participating in the learning sessions, NDKC representatives Jessa Adrein E. Gonzaga, RPm, and Xyriel C. Tolentino, RPm, served as facilitators for the congress’s psychosocial and experiential wellness activities, contributing to the event’s efforts to promote holistic well-being among participants.
The second day featured sessions led by resource speaker Dr. Maria Conception Umali, RGC, a former president of the Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association and the Psychological Association of the Philippines. She is also the founder of the Career Development Association of the Philippines and a faculty member of ICL Graduate Business School in Auckland, New Zealand.
Her discussions covered models and frameworks for career development, coaching, and the use of automated tools for high-impact personal branding. The afternoon sessions focused on managing career transitions through interventions in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), as well as standardized practices and ethical guidance protocols for effectively serving diverse client groups.
Reflecting on the experience, Xyriel C. Tolentino shared:
“Attending this seminar was a truly refreshing experience. As a first-time participant, I gained invaluable insights, particularly into facilitating meaningful career conversations with our learners. It significantly broadened my perspective on the different approaches we can use to guide students in their career development.”
Jessa Adrein E. Gonzaga likewise emphasized the importance of comprehensive career planning in supporting students’ academic and personal growth.
“The seminar made me realize that providing comprehensive career planning for students is just as important as providing counseling services. Learning about different career frameworks and matrices was particularly helpful in developing career plans for students who are uncertain about their future paths. I also realized that early and comprehensive career planning, coupled with resilience, can serve as a stepping stone for students to excel academically and develop their respective skills.”
The active participation of NDKC’s guidance personnel reinforces the institution’s commitment to strengthening professional partnerships and providing meaningful career guidance and planning support to its students. Through continuous professional development and collaboration with career guidance advocates, NDKC seeks to equip learners with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to make informed career decisions and prepare for their future employment and professional growth.
