Student Life Conference: Finding Purpose in the Online Career Journey

The Student LIFE Conference is a semester-starter event designed to equip and inspire Junior High, Senior High, and College students as they begin a new academic year. 

This gathering brings together students from different campuses in Davao City to grow in faith, build meaningful connections with peers, and find encouragement in their academic journey.

This year's conference took place on August 16 at 2:00 PM at Victory Davao, thoughtfully organized by the Every Nation Campus Davao team.

Over 250 students came together for the Student Life Conference, and among them, 35 chose to dive deeper into the world of Online Career Preparation. This session was designed to help students take their very first steps in building a simple yet practical action plan to begin their journey in the virtual industry.

The session was led by Coach Julianne, a seasoned Google Ads Specialist who began her career as a virtual assistant more than 14 years ago. With her wealth of experience, she reminded the students that working online is not just a sideline, that it can be a thriving and fulfilling career. 

“It’s really not just a sideline or a hustle for me. This is my career. And I’m here to help you also learn what you need to prepare if you are thinking of starting a career in the virtual industry,” she shared.

Coach Julianne guided the students through the essentials of jumpstarting their online careers, beginning with crafting an impactful resume and portfolio. She explained that these are not just pieces of paper but powerful tools that showcase skills, experiences, and potential. 

Vince, one of the participants, admitted that his perspective had changed significantly. “The way I create my resume now, compared to before, is way different. Today, I learned so many things, especially how to build my resume so I could easily apply and land a job.” 

Beyond resumes, Coach Julianne emphasized the importance of personality during interviews. “Be the person who is consistent on paper and so much more in person,” she encouraged. Employers don’t just hire skills, they also invest in character and authenticity.

Of course, entering the online career space as a student isn’t easy. It feels like running a race against seasoned professionals. Coach Julianne knows this feeling well.

In 2016, after resigning from her university job, she found herself at a crossroads. One path was a medical representative position for the biggest pharmaceutical company in the Philippines - a role many marketing majors would consider the “dream career.” The other path was an unfamiliar journey into the world of being a Virtual Assistant.

Reflecting on that season, she shared: “There is no such thing as security apart from the security that God provides.” With that conviction in her heart, she turned down what seemed to be the safer path and chose to become a Virtual Assistant.

This decision and mindset were tested years later during the pandemic, when people across all industries suddenly lost their jobs regardless of how stable those jobs were thought to be. For her, it was a powerful reminder that true stability does not come from titles, salaries, or industries but from God alone.

This message resonated with Summer, another participant who expressed that, “Nothing is really impossible if you put effort into it, but more than effort, you have to anchor what you’re doing to the purpose God has for you. You can do anything by your own strength, and no matter how talented or skilled you are, no matter how big the opportunity is, as long as it doesn’t feel like your purpose, it should be a God-given purpose and destiny. You will really have second thoughts about accepting it.”

This is a powerful reminder for every student preparing for their future. Careers, titles, and salaries may change, but when your heart and mind are anchored in God, you can step into any path with confidence, knowing that no circumstance can shake His plans for you.

We are deeply grateful to all the students who attended the Student LIFE Conference and took part in this journey of learning and preparation. Our prayer is that you will allow God to lead you in your career path so that every step you take will not only bring success but also align with His perfect will and purpose for your life.

It’s not just about building a career; it’s about walking in your God-given calling. 

Join our mentoring group and connect with like-minded people who are also taking their first steps into the online career journey.