David Simon T.

Quiming
Lesson 12: Work with Quality: Work for Excellence
Concept of Quality
- An individual possessing the virtue of industry manifests a persevering spirit, maximizes
his time, and has the power to create something that has a superior quality.
- These attitudes indicate a good work ethic, a philosophy directing the person to give his
best, despite the external world making increasing standards to satisfy.
- Quality is never an accident. “Quality is always the result of intelligent effort.” – John
Ruskin.
Quality of Work toward Quality of Life
- While some consider speed as the most important, it is critical that work is also precisely
done.
- There is quality of work if it is on par with the expected characteristics of the output.
When what is expected from a certain task is the same as what is obtained from the
task, quality of work is obtained.
- Quality work ensures a quality life. Three domains indicate quality of life.
o Independence Domain: Self-determination. It allows the person to set his choices
and gives him a sense of autonomy.
o Social Participation Domain: A person enjoying a niche in community life who
recognizes his role and supports him in his undertaking.
o Well-being Domain: Emotional, interpersonal/social health. Material well-being
and overall personal development of an individual.
Arete
- Arete is a Greek term equivalent to ‘moral excellence.’ It denotes moral courage and
moral heroism.
- It is a distinct quality that empowers a human person to perform laudable deeds or
actions that are extraordinary, outstanding, or excellent.
What are the learnings you’ve gained?
Doing quality work isn’t only about what’s in it for us, but also about achieving our full
potential. Through achieving our full potential, we are able to live a better life and find which
fields we are excellent in. When doing work, you shouldn’t just think about the monetary gain,
but also the opportunity it gives you to improve and develop as a person.
 Lesson 13: Personal Factors Affecting Career Selection
Making Career Choices
- One of the most important decisions you will make in your life is what career to pursue.
Many factors can affect this decision.
o Career test results/personal abilities
o Parent’s expectations
o Immediate needs of the family
o Finances
 Tuition fees
 Transportation fees
 Expensive degree programs
Hard Work, Perseverance, Determination, Passion, Diligence, Humility
- Hard work: People who work hard do more than what is expected of them and can be
entrusted with great responsibility.
- Perseverance and Determination: People who persevere despite obstacles and
hindrances and keep putting in the work to reach their goals will achieve their dreams.
- Passion and Diligence: Someone who is passionate about their dreams and goals will
give their all to achieving them, which means that they are also very diligent as they
make sure to fulfill their responsibilities and do the work they are so passionate about.
- Humility: Despite achieving great things, people who do so practice humility. Through it,
they can recognize their mistakes and become better allowing them to reach their goals
and achieve their dreams. Through it, they can also become aware of their strengths and
weaknesses and choose the right career path.
What are the learnings you’ve gained?
Choosing a career is important and with its importance also comes the complexity of choosing
it. There are many factors to the career you end up choosing and not everyone has the luxury of
working their dream career due to family and financial problems. Despite these external
hindrances, one shouldn’t simply give up on achieving their dreams. You must dream before
your dreams come true. As a wise person once said, “If your path is more difficult, it’s because
your calling is higher.” Dreams don’t work unless you do. Difficulties shouldn’t be seen as
obstacles or failures but instead as opportunities to get even closer to achieving your dreams.
Achieving your dreams is difficult, but that’s what makes them dreams.
 Lesson 14: Personal Mission Statement
Borne out of a Personal Mission and Vision
- A business idea begins with a problem, from the problem the business idea is born and
solving these problems becomes one’s mission.
- A mission is a purpose or a reason why you or an organization exists.
- A vision serves as the ultimate goal.
- Business 101
o Step 1: Business Plan: Developed out of a vision or a need for a product present
in the market.
 1. Executive Summary: Company name, objectives, mission.
 2. Business Description: Location, Product/Service, Suppliers, and
Manufacturing, Management.
 3. Marketing: Market Analysis, Competition, Pricing, Advertising
o Step 2: Market Study: Through a simple survey, find out who is more likely to
show interest in your product/service and aim your advertising towards that
demographic.
o Step 3: Finance: The last step is to save up enough money or capital to start the
business. This can be done by simply saving money or finding investors.
Humility, Hard Work, Foresight
- Humility: Be open to making mistakes and imperfections and listen to the suggestions of
other people. Don’t be afraid to make subpar or imperfect works especially when it is
only your first try.
- Foresight: Foresight is the ability to predict what will come from a decision or action.
They can see the consequences of what they will do and make better decisions.
- Hard Work: Success is a product of hard work. Successful people did not become
successful through luck alone, they made the sacrifices and worked the needed hours to
achieve their current status.
What are the learnings you’ve gained?
Successful businesses start with a mission. For a business to be successful, it must have a
purpose, a reason to exist, then a vision of what achieving that purpose will look like. Success is
achieved through setting a goal, and a mission, and working towards it. It doesn’t stop at that
though. You also need to put in the work necessary, the critical thinking to foresee the
consequences of your decisions, and the humility to acknowledge that you can always improve.
 Lesson 15: Local and Global Demands
Local In-Demand Jobs
- Agribusiness: Farming, food processing and selling.
- Cyberservices: Customer service, call centers
- Health, Wellness, and Medicine
- Hotel and Restaurant
- Mining and Construction
Global In-demand Jobs
- Health Care professionals
- Engineers
- Science and Technology
Competitiveness and Openness
- Competitiveness: While not considered a virtue by many, if one uses their
competitiveness as motivation to improve themselves then it is a virtue. Through
competitiveness, one is motivated to improve their skills and talents and branch out into
specialties that will give them an edge over other people when looking for a job.
- Openness: In college and the workplace, you will meet a lot of people with a lot of
different cultures. You need to have the openness to understand them and form
harmonious relationships with them despite your differences.
What are the learnings you’ve gained?
Job demands differ when looking within the country and outside it. When considering what job
to work, one should also consider working abroad where one’s skills might be more appropriate.
You must pick a degree and a job that fits your skills and passions. The job market is very
competitive, and one needs an edge over others to succeed. Being competitive is good, so long
as you don’t go to the point of putting others down. Once in the workplace or even just in
college, one needs to learn to be open to people who are different from oneself. They need to
learn the trait of “pakikisama,” not to the point of sharing their beliefs and culture, but simply
understanding them and not judging based on them.
 Lesson 16: Work as Service
The Need to Work
- The Lord God took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden to cultivate and take
care of it.” (Genesis 2:15) Human beings are the caretakers of God’s creation. We are
tasked to cultivate it and improve upon it. In other words, we need to work.
- For students, work is studying.
Service
- Human beings are created for meaningful work meaning they are also capable of
service.
- Service entails giving up one’s preferences for the good of the greater majority.
- Volunteerism is a kind of service.
- Service is done of one’s own free will. It involves personal sacrifice.
Work as Service
- The highest dignity of work is work done as service.
- It is achieved when one does his work without burdening others.
- Doing one’s job well is already an act of service.
- Gives a sense of fulfillment.
Charity, Service, Justice
- Charity and Service
o Charity refers to putting oneself before others.
o It is not limited to material things. It can be shown through actions and gestures
of service.
o Charity is directly linked with service, as an act of charity is an act of service.
- Justice: Justice is the ability to give what is due. In a sense, every act of service is an act
of justice. The highest form of justice is charity.
Uplifting Realizations
1. Do ordinary things extraordinarily well.
2. Zip It – When you don’t have anything nice to say, better to say nothing.
3. I will Serve – Promise to do what is expected of you every day.
What are the learnings you’ve gained?
We humans were created to work, cultivate, and improve upon God’s creation. It is our
responsibility to work. Through acknowledgment of this fact, we are able to do work as a
service. We also recognize that this work we do is us giving God’s creation its ‘due’ and we
practice the virtues of charity and service.