Dino Ubalde

How did you pick your career? Did you know all along?

I came from a big family and I was 10 when my mom died and I promised to her that I will finish my studies whatever it takes. I believed that finishing college was the only way to survive in life. I am a homebody, since we were adopted by our auntie before. I am being grateful for my auntie who adopted us thus, I helped in the household chores and became productive at home whatever way I can. I am a reader and hungry for learning. In our Junior High School, our English teacher told us to conduct a research paper on our possible career. I enjoyed that research activity. I remembered that time while I am doing the assignment, I reflected on my strengths and weaknesses, interests, abilities, skills, and my own personality. After reading some occupational handbooks, I realized that I am inclined in the helping profession particularly psychology and nursing. I want to help people especially students to find also the meaning in their lives just like me. I want to become a psychometrician, counselor and ultimately to become a clinical psychologist. I prayed to God that He will guide me with my chosen career. My prayers were answered, He directed me in my own calling or vocation that I will grow as a person by learning about myself and be more understanding about other people.

What is the biggest challenge you had to overcome to get to where you are now professionally? How did you overcome it?

Writing my MA Thesis, maybe I am still young then, and I am overwhelmed about this writing stage. I don't know where to start and what to start. I needed to rest for almost 2 years to figure out what to do and eventually I was able to finish it within one year. I was amazed and told myself that's easy! Sometimes, we were reminded to go easy and need to take a break. That gap in my studies gave me maturity mentally, emotionally and physically. It was really draining during that time and having a break was the best option that I made. God is a loving God, I finally finished my MA. That was the beginning of a bigger opportunities in my career.

Did anyone ever oppose your career plans when you were young or push you in a direction you did not want to go?

Yes, my oldest brother. He told me, what? Are you going to take up BS Psychology? He said to me that I am a shy type of person. Deep in my heart that's the reason why I wanted to improve my weaknesses and my personality. But, generally it was my own commitment and determination to pursue BS Psychology and graduate school. In my College life, I am a working student as a student assistant in Psychological Association of the Philippines. I worked in my free time especially during weekends. It was a big blessings for me to be working with psychologists. During that time, I already envisioned myself that someday I will be like them as a psychometrician, counselor and as a clinical psychologist. Now, I look back, improving oneself is a bi g decision if we want to flourish.

What is the one piece of career advice you wish someone gave you when you were younger?

Do your best and finsh your studies while your parents are still alive. It's different when your parents are still alive. But, for me since I was young when my mom died, I used that as my big motivation to become better person to make my mom and family happy. Always be grateful of the blessings you have in life may it be small of big. Be thankful of all the people who have been supportive of you in the process of becoming the person you want to be.

What is the most useful piece of career advice you got as a student, and who gave it to you?

Find your passion or things that makes you happy. Money is not the only reason to be happy. Find the job that you don't feel that you are working. Thats love of work. Money is not the only measurement of success. It's how you touched people's lives.

When did you get your first Big Break? How did you get it? How did it go?

After my MA In Psychology, I transferred to a college institution and I was offered as a Program Chair of Psychology. I accepted the job confidently since I know I was trained to do the job after having more than 10 years of experience as psychometrician and a counselor. My school prepared us for a bigger responsibilities and it lasted for almost 9 years. It was my time that I helped the program to be accredited from preliminary to Level 3 accreditation. I made it. We made it!