A survey of graduates 2006: Are they staying or leaving?

Mood: disappointed
Music: 3rd Storee's I'm Sorry, Dreamsounds

Every year, more and more fresh Filipino college graduates face the reality of joblessness in the country. Many say that the big question now is not anymore whether they will find the job that suits their degree but if they can find any job at all.

An offshoot of this reality is another question that most of them now ask: “Am I staying or leaving?"

GMANews.TV asked this of several graduating students.

Most of the interviewees are just planning to stay here to gain work experience but they intend eventually to work in another country.

The Philippines has now become one of the major countries where Filipino nurses are sourced for countries like the US, United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.

The continued failure of government to increase employment for Filipinos and the low salaries of Filipino workers make the young decide to find their luck in other countries.

But there are those who still hope they can get a good job in the country.

We are staying, but…

“After graduation I plan to apply for a job here. Maybe I’ll take the civil service examination, so I can work for government agencies. I am (not rejecting the) idea of working abroad."
April Faye Posadas; 20 years old; AB Asian Studies - UST

“I’m planning to have a vacation first right after graduation, maybe for about 2-3 months. I also plan to work in a call center just to have work experience. But I’ll try to look for a more suitable job for me."
Wea Aloba; 20; AB Asian Studies - UST

“I’m planning to take my master’s degree in nursing here in the Philippines."
Aaron Paul Odoño; 21; B.S. Nursing - Arellano University

“I will concentrate on my review for the coming board exam, and after passing the board, I plan to work here for experience before finally leaving the country."
Ronnesa Marie Ramos; 20; B.S. Nursing - Arellano University

“I will stay in the Philippines and look for a suitable job for me. But one of my options is to go abroad, if things are not doing great for me."
Lei; 20; A.B. Mass Communication - St. Scholastica’s College, Manila

“I will not leave the country right after graduation."
Arjay Panganiban; 22; BS Engineering - UST

“We will be better off abroad

“I am starting to fix my papers, (particularly) my US visa. I will leave the country as soon as I pass the local board exam."
Al-jaret Blas de Ungria; 23; B.S. Nursing - San Beda College, Manila

“I will work here for at least one year (to gain) experience. I plan to take NCLEX in Hong Kong and maybe find better work in the US. I will stay with my relatives there."
Maria Imee Geronimo; 25; B.S. Nursing - San Beda College, Manila

“Kung meron magandang opportunity dito para sa akin magstay ako, pero pag wala sa ibang bansa na lang siguro." (If there’s an opportunity here, I’ll stay; if none, I’ll try my luck abroad.)
Katrin Gay Manansala; 21; Computer Science - Centro Escolar University, Manila

“I am still undecided if I’m going to leave after graduation. But my dad is working abroad. I think I’ll take my vacation there first."
Leo Estacio; 21; BS Engineering – Far Eastern University

Source: GMA News