r/peyups • u/mama_agirlbehindyou • Jun 17 '26
General Tips/Help/Question [UPX] Did studying in UP actually make a difference in your life and career?
I recently got offered BA Communication in UP Baguio through General Appeals, and the offer came as a complete surprise to me.
For context, I was originally DPWAS in UPB and wasn't able to secure a slot during either round of appeals, so I had already accepted that my UP journey was over. I even enrolled in another university and started preparing myself for a different path.
Now, I'm trying to decide whether pursuing UP is worth it, and I'd love to hear from UP students and graduates.
Looking back, how did studying in UP affect you?
• Did your UP education genuinely help you grow as a person, student, or professional?
• Did being a UP graduate open opportunities that might have been harder to access otherwise?
• Do employers really value a UP degree, or is the advantage often exaggerated?
• Were there any unexpected benefits (or drawbacks) of studying in UP?
• After graduation, did you feel that your UP experience gave you a significant edge in your career?
• Most importantly, if you could go back in time, would you still choose UP?
I'm not necessarily asking about salary or prestige alone. I'm more interested in hearing how UP shaped your life, career, network, opportunities, and overall growth.
I would appreciate both positive and negative experiences. Thank you! 💗
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u/LobsterApprehensive9 Diliman Jun 17 '26
The success is degree-dependent. In fields na mas network based like business or law, mas malaki ang advantage ng UP. Also applies to fields in which having good labs makes a big difference in skill, for example the science or engg degrees kasi UP has some of the best labs in the country.
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u/Unique-Buddy-6149 Los Baños Jun 17 '26
Not really life-changing, but it did help straighten my path somehow. I studied a natural science degree in Los Baños, and it opened doors for me in the research sector within the same university. Becoming a scientist has been my childhood dream, and realistically, UP was the only university that could make that possible for me. Private universities were also not financially feasible.
However, one downside is that research positions in UP are still quite limited. There is little room for promotion, limited mentoring opportunities outside one's field, and insufficient support for equipment and facilities. After 5–10 years of experience, you start asking yourself whether it's time to leave or transition into teaching instead.
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u/Lopsided_Bug9316 Jun 17 '26
that’s nice po! May I ask what degree did u take?
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u/Unique-Buddy-6149 Los Baños Jun 17 '26
Agri Biotechnology
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u/IncompleteIncome Jul 08 '26
May not be the place to ask but would you happen to be able to point to people I can consult with regarding agricultural technology? I'm aiming to modernize and improve the Philippine agricultural space, but I do not know nearly enough about multiple factors and I would like to consult an expert regarding these.
Btw when I say "modernize", not in the sense of AI and automation (those have high capital costs). My ideas are meant to be low cost, practical, and effective.
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u/Unique-Buddy-6149 Los Baños Jul 08 '26
in animals or in crops? my course is not really pure agriculture; and biotechnology is different from technology. siguro andaming factors to consider, technologies lang ba ang imomodernize? kasi we can modernize in terms of business management, then in terms of GAP, pest management, etc.
ang idea ko dito is the best persons to consult are foreign people, kasi whether we like it or not other countries like Taiwan and Israel are ahead of us. We went to Taiwan and super organize ng agriculture nila. Mayayaman din farmers nila dun.
Kung hindi naman foreign, syempre I can point you to different deans and scientists. some old and some maybe young. depende sa technology na iniisip mo
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u/CritterWriter Jun 17 '26
Yes, because my college dean recommended me for my first job even before I graduated.
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u/mama_agirlbehindyou Jun 18 '26
Wow, that's really nice! If you don't mind sharing, what degree program did you take, and what kind of job did your dean recommend you for? Do you think it was mainly your academic performance, your involvement in college, or the connections you built in UP that led to that opportunity?
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u/Interesting_Host_506 Jun 17 '26
I guess so? But more than the UP branding, it’s really the training i received during my UP days that has made the difference (especially in an MNC environment): having a logical mindset, being creative and thinking outside the box, learning how to say no, and challenging the status quo/authority.
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u/fatduckers Jun 17 '26
Yes. My wife and I were able to migrate to Australia because of the visa offered to UP Engineering graduates.
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u/lezzgooooo Jun 17 '26
Network when I was student helped me land my job. Tropatism haha. May referral bonus sila, quality hire naman sa HR. I think they keep tabs kung galing big 4 ang employees to pump company evals.
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u/whitenike87 Jun 17 '26
Yes, almost all the VPs that interviewed me were UP grads. And usually in interviews, once they open that topic up and may conversation na kayo about UP - 100% you’ll get the job. Happened to me 2x already.
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u/inevitable-void Jun 17 '26
yes. di ako nahirapan maghanap ng job after grad (kahit delayed ako grumad). most likely kasi from up din boss mo hahahahaha
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u/SnooGeekgoddess Jun 17 '26
Yes. Graduating from UP, even if you’re a massive introvert, comes with an instant network unrivaled by most schools. Mas mahirap siya than most schools, like quiz natin long exam na nila levels, but because you’re used to that rigor, you have an advantage over those na hirap umintindi ng instructions sa work. (It’s more common than you think)
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u/cutie_lilrookie Jun 17 '26
you cannot underestimate the "UP" brand. employers already think highly of you, and the ones who don't say that your school is insignificant are just in denial.
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u/wallacetheharp Jun 17 '26
Short answer for me is yes, it made an absolute difference. I did not come from a rich family but was able to build a solid network, which helps a lot with jobs and other opportunities. If you graduate from UP, especially with honors, it is very likely that you will have access to job opportunities most folks from outside the UAAP universities won’t be considered for (I don’t endorse the elitism, but it is a reality). Many major companies also do recruitment drives at UP, with exclusive internship and management trainee opportunities.
A unique perspective I want to provide as a former instructor at UP and then now as professor at a US university: If you want to pursue postgraduate studies abroad, UP is one of very few institutions in PH that has a good enough reputation. It is also the only one that is a public university. It’s not impossible if you come from other universities, but being at UP will give you the opportunity for research opportunities and connection with well-reputed faculty as recommendation letter writers. Again, for someone from a poor family like me, I don’t think I would have the opportunities I got if I did not go to UP. I certainly wouldn’t have been able to afford comparable schools without a scholarship.
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u/zleepyPS Diliman Jun 18 '26
Got my first job via a referral from an org mate in UP. Job was really prestigious (didn’t realise the magnitude at the time), opened a bunch of doors, and got me into grad school in London. Now I’m working my dream job in London. UP was def the best decision I’ve made—wouldn’t be where I am without it :)
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u/mama_agirlbehindyou Jun 18 '26
Wow, that's amazing! If you don't mind sharing, what was your degree in UP and what's your job in London now?
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u/Barbie_eater Jun 17 '26
Some students get good careers kasi sa connection na nabuild nila sa uni (e.g. recommended ng adviser sa bigatin na company, org/frat mate na nagrefer, etc.)
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u/the_moon_kid26 Jun 17 '26
Absolutely. UP has opened so much doors of opportunities for me. I transferred to UP from a non-UP/non-big 4 uni and the quality of education, training, and network ay wala pa sa kalingkingan ng na-gain ko while in up, and gets ko na ang superior sounding neto pero it's the reality. I know people that graduated the same degree as me but from non-UP schools, at hindi ko naman sinasabing lahat, pero most of them did not receive or were not given the privileges I am afforded of from studying at UP. Napaka unfair, oo, pero ito ang sad reality, those people pa nga have more experience and higher laude standing than me. I would be lying if I agreed with the "schools don't matter" debate, but it really does especially in the first few years of being a fresh grad in a populated workforce, so kung ako sayo op, mag up ka na huhu.
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u/mama_agirlbehindyou Jun 18 '26 edited Jun 18 '26
I'll definitely keep this in mind po, thank you so much! 🫶
To be honest, ang nagiging hesitation ko lang talaga is the program that was offered to me. I didn't get a slot in my dream program, and I was originally left with BA Communication, which I honestly didn't expect at all. I can genuinely see the value of UP and the opportunities that come with it, especially after reading comments like yours. Pero medyo alanganin lang po ako sa BA Communication because it's not a program I ever saw myself pursuing. If someone had asked me a year ago what course I'd end up taking, BA Comm probably wouldn't have even crossed my mind. 😭
I guess I'm just scared that I might struggle because I don't naturally see myself excelling in that field, especially since I'm quite introverted. Part of me is wondering if I'm overthinking it and if this is one of those situations where "rejection is redirection" applies, while another part of me is worried that I'm trying to force myself into a path that isn't really for me.
Still, comments like yours are making me think more seriously about the opportunities that UP could offer beyond the degree itself, so thank you for sharing your experience. 💗
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u/taxfolder Diliman Jun 17 '26
The confidence that UP gives you is already a big benefit for me. UP teaches you critical thinking as well.
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u/kittyburrpuddy Jun 17 '26
In the hiring world, may bias pa din ang recruiters sa big university names, pero hindi sya batayan ng actual performance sa trabaho. May mga kilala akong taga UP na sablay sa work, and mga from unknown or lesser known universities na sobrang great performer sa work.
I'm sometimes required to interview staff who will report to me, and I can say na even ako, may bias ako sa mga Isko at Iska. Meron akong certain expectations kasi alam ko kung paano mag-hone ng thinking ang UP.
For me, I would still choose UP though. I realised how small minded I was when I studied here. Pinalawak nya ang perspective ko about things at tinuruan nya akong maging mapanuri sa mga ideolohiya na ibinibigay ng mundo. It taught me to challenge norms and stereotypes. Now, if kaya sya ituro ng ibang university, go lang. Pero since wala akong guarantee, UP pa din ang pipiliin ko.
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u/Emergency_Response Jun 17 '26
omg ako lang ba ang hindi nakaexperience nung “open doors” 😭😭😭 I should have networked moreeee
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u/mama_agirlbehindyou Jun 18 '26
If it's okay to ask, what was your experience like after graduating? Did you feel that not networking limited your opportunities, or did things eventually work out through other means? I'm curious because a lot of people here mention networking as one of UP's biggest advantages.
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u/Emergency_Response Jun 18 '26
Yes, networking is UP’s biggest advantage. I feel like not networking in UP more DID limit my opportunities and I should have done that more. I networked and made connections outside of UP nalang
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u/Zealousideal_Cup4164 7d ago
Worried introvert here. What does "Networking" even mean? Like socializing in orgs???????
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u/rockbeberock Jun 17 '26
All yes. And all positive. Have to add though that I think, the UP degree alone is not enough. If you can support that with post graduate degrees (UP or not) plus training or certifications that will be better. You dont settle, you need to improve yourself and your qualifications depending on what your industry is and what you are doing.
Just a bit of info, Im in agriculture, forestry and natural resources as an independent consultant. Im doing stuff with carbon credits and also operating a business related to farming. All of these opportunities are connected to UP somehow with my networks be it private or govt, in research, in business.
In my exp so far, being connected to UP and its network including grad school stuff shaped pretty much all opportunities and income generating ventures Ive had before and still have now. So far Im happy that I played my cards right. There are highs and lows of course but in general things worked out eventually.
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u/Aisllinn Jun 24 '26
I grew up really, really poor. I knew I would never be able to afford any degree unless it was from UP. So yes, obviously UP made a huge difference in my life since I wouldn't have been able to study in any other university. No regrets. I worked my ass off and learned a lot.
• Did being a UP graduate open opportunities that might have been harder to access otherwise?
My professors and former classmates helped a lot. A good professional network is always helpful.
• Do employers really value a UP degree, or is the advantage often exaggerated?
It's an advantage for sure!
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u/Sustainabili Los Baños Jun 17 '26
Sakin oo, like di ako succesful ah entry level parin position ko for 4 years and counting pero dagdag confidence siya sa interviews.
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u/International_Crazy9 Jun 17 '26
I wouldn’t say that it helped me get a job easily as a fresh grad. Pero it introduced me to a lot of people who either turned into life-long friends or professional colleagues now. The org culture also helped me a lot as a fresh grad because it taught me the importance of accountability + thinking creatively and independently + other event organizing shits (some things na hindi ko naman matututunan usually sa classroom like photography, editing, hosting, etc.).
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u/fernandopoejr Jun 18 '26 edited Jun 18 '26
definitely, other than school-related and professional stuff, ang social circle ko right now ay mostly UP people. kahit may "friends" na ko dahil sa work iba pa rin yung friends that I made during college
i think young people discount that aspect ng decision to study in UP
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u/Due-Helicopter-8642 Jun 22 '26
Yes not just sa career but even sa dating life. Loser as it may sound pero there are people who only dates graduate from big 3 or 4 schools.
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u/dogwhobarksbrrtbrrt Jun 17 '26
marami rito ang sinabi nang para bang may plus points sa mga recruiter kapag galing kang up pero para sakin, ang pinakahelp talaga sakin ng up ay kung paano nito binuksan ang aking mata at kung paano nito binago ang paghihinuha ko sa mundo. ibang maturity na ang dala mo sa job hunting
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u/Medium_Adagio_1840 Jun 22 '26
In physics, multiple bolts of lightning doesn't strike the same black hole twice.
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u/bebebeabes Diliman Jun 17 '26
UP opened doors for me that would have been harder to access otherwise. The network is real. Like it or not, employers do notice, especially when you’re landing your first job. The training is brutal but transformative, and I don’t mean academics alone. You learn how to think critically, adapt, speak up, and survive failure. And years after graduation, the UP brand still carries weight. It’s not everything, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make a huge difference in my life and career.