Industry Partners as Interviewers for the Mock Interview
Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao (Mapúa MCM), through the Office for Corporate Partnerships – Center for Career and Placement (OCP-CCP), conducted the Internship and Professional Readiness Enhancement Program (iPREP): Mock Interview from September 2 to 4, 2026, via the Mapúa MCM Career Hub on Zoom. Held from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, the three-day activity provided incoming interns for Academic Year 2026–2027 with an opportunity to strengthen their professional communication, self-presentation, and workplace readiness skills.
The activity was designed to help students prepare for their upcoming internship experiences through interview simulations and industry-aligned career preparation. It focused on developing students’ confidence and ability to communicate effectively in professional settings while fostering adaptability, ethics, professionalism, and industry engagement.
Representative from Makati Medical Center, Mr. Ryan Manzanero interviewed Ms. Luis Lugo, a BS Psychology student.
Through the mock interview sessions, students were given the opportunity to experience recruitment scenarios and practice presenting their skills, experiences, and career goals. The activity also supported the development of practical career competencies that students can apply when preparing résumés, e-portfolios, application materials, and other requirements for internship and future employment opportunities.
Under the Internship and Professional Readiness Enhancement Program (iPREP), now on its third year of implementation, the Mock Interview Sessions engaged approximately 206 students from the Accountancy, Management Accounting, Tourism Management, Communication, Multimedia Arts, Psychology, Pharmacy, and Physical Therapy programs, providing them with opportunities to experience recruitment scenarios and practice presenting their skills, experiences, and career goals
Ms. Kyla Pedroso from DOLE CFO XI interviewing Mr. Marc Unay, a BS Accountancy student.
The activity brought together representatives from various industry and organizational sectors, including JJ Valderrama Behavioral Management Center, Makati Medical Center, Mega Cat Studios, Rbox International Solutions Inc., Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, and One’s Philippine Epoch Corporation. Their participation provided students with exposure to different workplace environments and perspectives on professional expectations.
For the students, the Mock Interview was a chance to step outside the usual classroom setting and experience what it is like to sit in front of a professional interviewer. While some felt nervous at first, the experience helped them become more comfortable in answering questions, talking about their skills, and presenting themselves professionally.
Ms. Claire Cabahug from DOLE CFO XI interviewing Jules Bajao, a Multimedia Arts student.
Government and regional industry participation also strengthened the activity’s industry-academe engagement. Beyond practicing how to answer interview questions, the activity also gave students a better idea of what they can expect in an actual interview. For many, it became an opportunity to learn from the experience, take in the advice of industry professionals, and feel a little more prepared for the interviews they will eventually face in their internships and future careers.
One student shared that the experience helped improve their “speaking skills and communication skills” while allowing them to receive immediate feedback from professionals. Another appreciated being able to practice how to present themselves in a professional setting, while another found that answering interview questions helped build their confidence in presenting their skills and experiences.
Ms. Ivy Cabahug from Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation interviewing Deuler Gerologa, a BS Accountancy student.
The sessions also highlighted active student engagement, with Karyl Arianna Son participating alongside Ryan Manzanero of Makati Medical Center, while Jules Miguel Bajao engaged with Claire Cabahug of DOLE XI. Other students, including Rica Jane J. Rosal, Earl Nicholai Familar, Uzair M. Alamada, and Jhanzeen A. Leba, were also featured participating in discussions and interview activities with industry representatives.
Through the iPREP: Mock Interview, Mapúa MCM continues to provide students with practical opportunities to develop the skills and confidence needed for their internship journey. The initiative supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through career preparation, workplace readiness, and collaboration with industry and government partners.