My boyfriend keeps bugging me about my desired Christmas gift. Well, I am not asking nor requesting for anything. I am not that rich but I can buy what I want. Haha. But if ever there would be people who'd like to give me gifts, feel free!

I only have 3 things on my wish list:

Ten points for this uniquely made certificate for me! You might be wondering why the rating comes first before the review, it is simply because the certificate I received is the most excellent one I ever had. It uses the original and exclusive paper of Microsoft which made me feel important. It is so heartwarming to get this kind of treatment from a very prestigious company. It really shows how much they care for their people.

I received the two packaged envelopes from FedEx and it is addressed from Microsoft MCP Training Center. I like the fact that they are taking care of our certificates from shipping to delivery. I opened it at home and hold the certificate in amazement and disbelief. I was really touched to see my name on it, correctly spelled and properly recognized. Most of my certificates have my name misspelled on it given the fact that I correctly input my full name on the required fields. But here, it is one sure shot! Everything seems to be perfect. I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to everyone behind this certificate of excellence... my deepest appreciation to all of you.

Bill Gates' signature is just below my name. Microsoft's official seal is slightly embossed which proves authenticity. I am very happy that I passed the exam and received this certificate. No word is enough to describe my happiness. I really admire all the people who made this thing possible. Along with my Microsoft Kit is my MCP ID and it is now safely sitting on my purse. I am a proud Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist now!

In this cyberworld, it is a must to have competent knowledge about computers. Those who are not born lucky with that skill have all the chance to learn it through IT training. Here in the Philippines, there are plenty of colleges offering that course. It could be a bachelor degree or just a basic diploma. I took up Bachelor of Industrial Technology Major in Computer Engineering Technology. This 4-year course offered by Batangas State University allowed me to learn and enhance my technical skills. The very good thing about it is the practical training. This is a 4-year ladderized program that allows student to take it as vocational, technical, technological or bachelor course. Every year, it provides training not just on hardware but also software. I was indeed lucky to have practical training outside the university and became exposed to networking. There are also certificates offered from TESDA and other government related offices. Also, on-the-job trainings provided by school coordinator are really technical-related. It may range from PC maintenance and troubleshooting, PC assembly, software installation, router configuration, wireless setup, LAN connections and many more.

Aside from this course in this well-known university, there are also in-depth courses for IT. We have what we called School of Information Technology located in Alangilan Campus. They are the pros when it comes to programming, networking and OS configuration.

Other than my beloved university, Meralco Foundation Institute in Ortigas Center also offered programs or course of your choice in line with computers. My friends are currently taking up CISCO certifications. This is the brief list of courses offered: CISCO, Windows, Web Development, SAP Business One Logistics and Financials, Oracle, JAVA, Programming, and Linux System and Network Administration.

Not to mention the least, we also have several competitive colleges in our country such as Informatics Computer Institute, AMA Learning Center and ABE Colleges. They all give equal opportunities to every Filipino. Scholarships are available to deserving student. I, myself is a product of provincial and university scholarship. All you need is passion for information technology to acquire the desired knowledge. Furthermore, there is a need for practice to constantly hone the skills. Stagnant ideas will become nothing if just kept inside. Group studies can encourage an individual to share his or her knowledge to others.

Having IT training does not end in school. Even at work, my job provides me technical training as a reward. I have enjoyed free Windows Vista Certification training from Trend Micro, one of the leading IT industry and anti-virus company. I now have my Microsoft ID as a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist.

There are also numbers of call centers or BPO patronizing computer-related course graduates. They prefer job applicants with computer background over those who have none. After all, it is easy to train those who know the basics of information technology. To name some of the contact centers giving job opportunities in the field of IT, we do have Convergys, ETelecare, DELL, IBM, Telus, Trend Micro Inc., and so on.

The thirst for technical knowledge has no limit, thereby giving us a wide range of opportunities to learn.

I’d really love to take up Chemical Engineering. But due to financial crisis, I was forced to apply for scholarships and take up the course they are offering. Since I am good with almost everything, I was able to pass all the examinations and availed Meralco Foundation Scholarship. I have been granted with full year scholarship plus allowance so they enrolled me at Batangas State University with the course Bachelor of Industrial Technology Major in Computer Engineering Technology. Kinda long stuff, isn’t it?
[Important Note: I passed DOST Scholarship as well and that would be good for 5 years. I was supposed to study at UP. Oh boy, how I love to take Chem Eng. LOL, you guess it right, this is one my greatest frustration in life. Probably the one and only… If only I can turn back time. If only I did not listen to my Mom… Before I get out of lane, kindly proceed to the next paragraph…]

During that time, I was not fond of computers yet so I was sometimes not interested with the subjects. As time goes by, and since I didn’t have any other choice I started to love my course especially when we are performing laboratory activities. I started to like all of my professor teachings. Because of this, I excel on all my subjects and get good grades throughout the year. What surprise me about this course is that it lets you graduate every year and you have to attend all commencement exercises.

Bachelor of Industrial Technology is really a four-year course but it is a ladderized program. It means that for every year you can get your diploma with different degrees: vocational, technical, technological and bachelor’s degree from first to fourth year respectively. Another good thing about this course is the fact that it is somewhat similar to Engineering Courses. The major courses also includes: Electronics Engineering Technology, Civil Engineering Technology, Instrumentation Engineering Technology, and the like.

After my first year of graduation, I felt privileged and happy to be in the top graduates. Since I still want to pursue my studies, I applied for another scholarship to support me in my second year. I qualified for Batangas Province Scholarship. My second year with this course seems to be more challenging. Why? Because I am studying at the school for 3 days and having my training outside for another 3 days. Not only that, during Sundays I have my National Service Training Program in replacement to ROTC. Overall, I am studying seven days a week. It is pretty hard because I can not relax anymore. I felt I don’t have enough time for other things. I even felt that I don’t have enough time to study everything especially during exam weeks. The good thing here is that my trainers are good to me so I am enjoying my outside training or what we called on-the-job training. Despite this unhealthy schedule, I survived.

My third year seems to be easier because I have already adjusted but it was of the same setup as before. Come fourth year, I was back to 5 days of classes. What a relief! The only thing that pressured me is my thesis or case study. With the help of my groupmates, we were able to defend our project and thereby ready to march on our last graduation for Bachelor’s degree.

After four years of striving, my efforts have been rewarded. I graduated with flying colors and I know I deserved it. Wow, it feels good to be a Cum Laude! I have learned a lot from my field of study. I am getting good with computers and being more interested on it. To quote my organization’s saying: I do not fear computers; I fear the lack of them.