Elite Batch 4: UNLEASHED

Dream. Believe. Survive.

No, this isn’t Starstruck. Although not as pressuring as a talent / popularity show, the sound of thumping hearts, deafening and rapid heartbeat still echoes in my mind. That one hot afternoon is still vivid in my memory; the nervousness of the aspirants can be felt by the worried look in their faces and their clammy hands, and they were all tensed while waiting for the results of their revalida. But who wouldn’t be tensed? The Elite Internship Program is all about working your way to the top in a matter of ONE WEEK; you’re given 6 days to prove that you are worthy enough to advance to the On-the-job training and later on be full-fledged Learning Integration Specialists. Out of 150 applicants, 61 aspirants made it to the program. 61 hopefuls with a single end in mind – and that is to be part of the Elite Few.

How to be a part of the Elite Few?

The E-Learning Training for Education, dubbed as the Elite Internship Program is now on its fourth year. For three years it has already reached its goal of coming up with competent and well-skilled Learning Integration Specialists who will act as E-learning consultants in the different Genyo schools nationwide. This year’s Internship program was held at First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities, Diwa Learning System’s sister company last April 25 - 30 (FIRST BATCH) and May 2 – 7 (SECOND BATCH). The aspiring trainees underwent an intensive weeklong training concerning Genyo’s Learning Management System (LMS) and these trainees were assessed based on everything that they have learned from all the modules discussed. After the weeklong training, those who have the potential will advance to a 6-week On-the-job training program. The ELITE Internship Program provides this training to produce teacher trainers; therefore, it has to be hardcore.

Getting-to-know-you

What could be the best way to start a smooth working relationship? The Day One of the internship program was more of a “getting-to-know-you” stage. The program commenced by a brief discussion of the Company Profile. The man behind Genyo, Mr. Jose Mari Policarpio or Sir JTP / Sir Toots as he’s fondly called, gave the aspirants an overview of the company that they will be working for and some of the people that they will be working with. Other officers / staff from the head office also came to welcome the aspirants. Some of the people from the head office who graced the event were Ms. Ana Alipit (Genyo, DLT, and Salaguinto and Bato Balani Digital Edition’s Brand manager), Ms. Rose Landicho (Product Development and Innovations Manager), Ms. Cor Balarbar (P4 Brand Specialist), Mr. Dec Bartolome (Brand Specialist of other SEM titles and Corporate Communications manager), Ms. Marie San Diego (Product Development and Innovation Specialist), Ms. Roma Santos (Multimedia Specialist), Mr. Leo Lindo (IT Specialist), and Mr. Albert Ocava (IT Specialist).  Of course, the getting-to-know-you stage wouldn’t be complete without knowing the stars of the show – the aspirants. They showcased some of their spectacular talents and shared a bit about themselves. There’s still a lot to know, but it’s already a fresh start.

Not just about LMS

The training department strongly believes in the proverb that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. This is primarily the reason why they designed the internship program in such a way that it wouldn’t be about LMS / module discussion alone; exciting games, thrilling activities, and extra-curricular programs were meticulously prepared for the aspirants’ enjoyment. There were different team-building activities to develop the camaraderie of the aspirants and to teach them corporate values, an exhausting yet overly fun amazing race to test their attitude and character, a mini pageant hailed as Mr. and Ms. Elite and other games and activities in between module discussions. Beyond doubt, the Elite Internship Program aims to produce well-rounded individuals who will represent the company’s name in different schools.

BATCH 4 : Unleashed

After an intensive and rigorous training program, the aspirants’ individual performance was assessed based on their Written and Oral Revalida. A thorough deliberation headed by the Training Department’s Training Manager, Ms. Kristin Villanueva, along with the ES and LIS followed right after. Although everyone seemed promising, there’s the sad truth that we have to face – only the best among the best will advance to the next level.

20 aspirants from the first batch and 24 from the second batch were chosen to advance to the next level. The LIS journey of these aspirants doesn’t end on the internship alone; there will be obstacles that they have to surmount, challenges that they have to face, and more concepts that they have to digest. Every working day is a learning opportunity for everyone.

Each of us has our own designations and destinations; all that’s left for us to do is be the best of whatever we might become.

The first, second, and third batch already wrote their Elite Story.

Batch 4 will create theirs TODAY.