This year, a new batch was welcomed in the growing family. Most of the 2017 graduates also made sure to be present in the last day of the camp.
It was July 25-27, 2017 when we witnessed another three exhausting but fun-filled learning days at the annual Shell-PhilDev Leadership Camp for scholars. This year, a new batch was welcomed in the growing family. Most of the 2017 graduates also made sure to be present in the last day of the camp.
There were new speakers, new topics, and new activities introduced. A number of Shell officers also devoted their time to share words of wisdom to the scholars. As in the previous camps, the experience was enlightening and fulfilling.
The camp design
Gerboy Ortega, Vice President for Human Resources of Shell Companies in the Philippines (SciP), shared with the scholars that SciP former Country Chairman Ed Chua wanted the scholarship of Shell and Philippine S&T Development Foundation – Manila, Inc. (PhilDev) to be different: “It’s not just financial support, but there’s also support in the holistic development – around leadership, self-awareness, preparation for career choices. That’s why we put together this camp.
“At the start, the focus is to help you with your personal leadership, to help you develop self-awareness, knowledge about your own talents, strengths, areas of improvement. The second year you attend, it’s about developing your ability to influence and lead others in the university. By the time you graduate, when you start looking for jobs, you’ll not just be competing with academic performers, but with student leaders. So, it’s important while you’re still in university, you’re not just honing your talents in your chosen discipline, but you’re also honing your leadership skills. For the third batch, those who are about to enter graduating year, the theme is about helping you make career choices and prepare you for those choices - whether it’s about pursuing your discipline, going into entrepreneurship, or working in an NGO.”
Words of wisdom
During the second day of the camp, Shell officers shared their insights and engaged with the scholars over lunch.
Chua expressed how happy he was to be there for the first time, sharing his life learnings and realizations to the scholars. He also emphasized how being part of the Shell-PhilDev family is an opportunity that the scholars should be grateful for.
In his speech, he shared how his perspective in life changed: “My focus was to get a good job in a good company and earn good money. But over time, you start realizing money will give you happiness in a short period of time. Think about this very well, because as you start working, you get lost in what is the objective in life. Sometimes, when you’re working, your objective is to be promoted. I’ve learned that is just a resultant. The objective is you do a great job whatever assignment you’re given. When you do a great job, the promotions and salary increases will follow and you will see others as part of your team, people who can help you deliver great results. I hope as you progress, this is something you remember.”
Talking about the Shell-PhilDev Scholarship, Chua shared that the focus is on science and technology because the country needs people who can start looking at innovation. Urging the scholars to keep innovating while keeping sustainability in mind, he said, “Make sure whatever you do is cognizant of the community, the people, the environment. Sustainability is very important.”
As he wished the scholars success, Chua ended his speech with powerful words: “I want you all to be successful – not necessarily being very rich. That’s not what success is all about, but success is being able to leave a legacy and touching many people’s lives.”
