MPA JOURNEY
Marvin Carlos P. Manalang
Going back to school after fourteen (14) years has been very challenging and at the same time exciting for me. As part of the new normal amid Covid-19 pandemic, online schooling is the new platform of teaching-learning process of schools.
The MPA program is a professional degree and a graduate degree for the public sector and it prepares individuals to serve as managers, I enrolled in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program of Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU) for academic Year 2020-2021 for my professional development at the same time learning trends and relevant information related to my work as a government employee.
This time, school season is hitting differently, my first day of school jitters are mixed with excitement and anxiety because of the pandemic. Other modalities of education like the online learning are often referred to as “e-learning”, however, online learning is just one type of “distance learning” - the umbrella term for any learning that takes place across distance and not in a traditional classroom.
The program in which I am presently enrolled (Theories and Practice of Public Administration, The Philippine Administrative System and Project Planning and Management) gave me a widen knowledge about public service realities in our country. It motivates me stay in the program, keep on learning, and having new colleagues and friends. I really enjoy the sharing of experiences and knowledge from my classmates, who were mostly working too in the government.
Indeed, what a journey it has been, even if I am just an MPA newbie. The most challenging part is sitting in front of the computer / camera for more than nine (9) hours every Saturday and continuously listening and learning all the lecture of your professor. Maintaining the quality of work-life balance plays an essential factor in pursuing this new degree especially this time of pandemic.
And now I am proud to say that we are almost done on our first trimester and looking forward to continuously learn with my MPA classmates and professors and to finish this program with a high note of course.
The author
--oOo-
is Administrative Officer
II at Bacolor South
District