Michi Ferreol’s journey into social entrepreneurship is deeply rooted in her belief in education as a transformative force. As a young student, she received a life-changing scholarship to the International School of Manila (ISM). Coming from a middle-income family, this opportunity showcased education as a powerful equalizer.
“As the daughter of a typical middle-income family, this opportunity changed my life,” Ferreol said, referencing her scholarship to ISM. “ISM showed me the power of education as a ‘great equalizer.’ If not for ISM, I would not have gotten accepted at Harvard for college.”
Attending Harvard allowed Ferreol to expand her global perspective, working across multiple education ventures in North America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Reflecting on her own struggles with job searches and career navigation after graduation, Michi realized that many Filipino youth—especially those from rural and lower-income backgrounds—face even greater challenges due to a lack of career support and resources.
“The power of community and connection has been a driving force that has propelled me for my entire life. In 2016, when I was forced to restart my job search, I turned to my network of friends and colleagues to help me find my next opportunity,” Ferreol said. “Without them, the process was harrowing and difficult. I didn’t know which resources were best to use, how to pitch myself correctly, and especially how to navigate the Philippine job application process. My community helped me find my way.”
In 2019, Michi met Bless Chavez, a young college student facing significant challenges in her job search. Bless’s struggles resonated deeply with Michi, reflecting a broader issue within the Philippine education system: the lack of adequate career support and resources for students, especially those from lower-income and rural areas.
“Her story felt all too familiar. I realized then that millions of other students in the Philippines also lack the proper support and resources to launch their careers and break the cycle of intergenerational poverty for their families,” Ferreol said. “This is why we were inspired to build KadaKareer.”
KadaKareer aims to bridge the exposure, network, and skill gaps that hinder career opportunities for young Filipinos. Through its Virtual Apprenticeship Program, the organization connects students with small businesses, providing practical work experience while helping businesses find talent. This initiative addresses the lack of social mobility and high youth unemployment in the Philippines, particularly in rural areas.
“After receiving a multitude of experiences and blessings in my life, my north star became to launch an education venture in the Philippines to maximize the potential of a growing population of Filipino youth,” Ferreol said. “No organization has been able to accomplish this without sacrificing at least one of the three pillars of education–quality, affordability or scalability, but I hope to keep trying with KadaKareer until we get there.”
The statistics driving her work are stark: social mobility remains a significant challenge in the Philippines, with rural youth facing disproportionate barriers to employment. In 2019, the World Economic Forum ranked the Philippines as 61st out of 82 countries in terms of social mobility. Over half of Filipinos earn only the same or even less than their parents, and rural youth are 1.5 times more likely to be underemployed compared to their urban peers.
“At KadaKareer, we believe that a lack of school-to-employment resources and support for low-income and rural students is one of the core reasons for these career inequities and one of the key drivers behind stagnant social mobility,” Ferreol said.
KadaKareer’s work is focused on tackling these disparities by addressing three critical gaps. The first is the Exposure Gap—ensuring students have access to relevant career information and opportunities. The second is the Network Gap—connecting students with mentors and industry professionals who can guide them. The third is the Skill Gap—providing hands-on training that prepares students for the real demands of the workforce. “Young Filipinos face immense career pressure due to the vicious cycle of intergenerational poverty,” Ferreol emphasized. “KadaKareer seeks to disrupt this cycle.”
KadaKareer exemplifies the power of community-driven solutions to systemic challenges. The organization’s impact goes beyond providing career support; it seeks to create a paradigm shift in how Filipino youth approach their professional lives. By fostering mentorship, experiential learning, and access to critical resources, KadaKareer empowers students to take ownership of their career journeys and build networks that open doors to new opportunities.
“My favorite part of the journey has been collectively discovering and redefining a shared purpose and vision, and cascading this across all parts of our community,” Ferreol said. “This experience has shown me the power of a common cause and a strong desire to make positive impact on the world.”
Her work is transforming the landscape of career support for Filipino youth, creating pathways for social mobility and a brighter future. Through KadaKareer, Michi Ferreol continues to redefine what it means to uplift a community—one student, one opportunity at a time.
