Michi Ferreol\u2019s 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.
\n\u201cAs the daughter of a typical middle-income family, this opportunity changed my life,\u201d Ferreol said, referencing her scholarship to ISM. \u201cISM showed me the power of education as a \u2018great equalizer.\u2019 If not for ISM, I would not have gotten accepted at Harvard for college.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2014especially those from rural and lower-income backgrounds\u2014face even greater challenges due to a lack of career support and resources.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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,\u201d Ferreol said. \u201cWithout them, the process was harrowing and difficult. I didn\u2019t 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.\u201d <\/p>\n
In 2019, Michi met Bless Chavez, a young college student facing significant challenges in her job search. Bless\u2019s 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.
\n\u201cHer 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,\u201d Ferreol said. \u201cThis is why we were inspired to build KadaKareer.\u201d <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter 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,\u201d Ferreol said. \u201cNo 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
\u201cAt 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,\u201d Ferreol said. <\/p>\n
KadaKareer\u2019s work is focused on tackling these disparities by addressing three critical gaps. The first is the Exposure Gap\u2014ensuring students have access to relevant career information and opportunities. The second is the Network Gap\u2014connecting students with mentors and industry professionals who can guide them. The third is the Skill Gap\u2014providing hands-on training that prepares students for the real demands of the workforce. \u201cYoung Filipinos face immense career pressure due to the vicious cycle of intergenerational poverty,\u201d Ferreol emphasized. \u201cKadaKareer seeks to disrupt this cycle.\u201d<\/p>\n
KadaKareer exemplifies the power of community-driven solutions to systemic challenges. The organization\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy 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,\u201d Ferreol said. \u201cThis experience has shown me the power of a common cause and a strong desire to make positive impact on the world.\u201d <\/p>\n
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\u2014one student, one opportunity at a time.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Michi Ferreol\u2019s 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. \u201cAs the daughter of a typical middle-income family, […]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":9404,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","inline_featured_image":false},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n