August 28, 2026
Beyond the Degree: How This School Helps Students Turn Classroom Skills Into Real-World Careers
In today’s fast-changing global industries, having skills is only part of the equation—but it’s leadership, adaptability, and real-world experience that make you indispensable. Employers are looking for people who can communicate, adapt, manage projects, collaborate with others, and confidently navigate real-world challenges.
At iACADEMY, students don’t just learn technical or creative skills; they gain the holistic training needed to lead teams, execute complex projects, and thrive under pressure. This unique approach is reflected in the journeys of alumni Ramon Christopher Calimquim and Paolo Steven Santos—two professionals leveraging their iACADEMY foundation to build impactful careers in technology.
From Scholar to Tech Lead at GCash
Ramon Christopher Calimquim started his path at iACADEMY as a scholar pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, majoring in Software Engineering.
While the technical side of his education gave him the foundation he needed, Calimquim found that some of the skills that made the biggest difference in his career went beyond coding. Project management and people management, in particular, helped prepare him to lead teams and take on complex projects – even when working alongside professionals who had already spent years in the industry.
Today, Calimquim leads the QA Chapter at GCash, where maintaining quality in a fast-paced fintech environment requires more than technical know-how. Clear communication, collaboration, and the ability to bring people together are just as important.
Today, Calimquim leads the QA Chapter at GCash, where maintaining quality in a fast-paced fintech environment requires more than technical know-how. Clear communication, collaboration, and the ability to bring people together are just as important.
iACADEMY made sure to equip us with the skills we needed to adapt to the realities of the workplace, particularly in areas such as project management and people management,” Calimquim shared. “It taught us these skills so that we could confidently compete and work alongside professionals who had already spent many years in the industry.”
His experience at iACADEMY was also made possible through a scholarship, allowing him to focus more fully on developing his skills.
“I didn’t have to worry about tuition, thanks to the scholarship provided by the school and Chairman/CEO, Ms. Vanessa Tanco. That freedom allowed me to focus entirely on my development.”
From being a student supported by a scholarship to leading a QA team at one of the Philippines’ major fintech platforms, Calimquim’s story highlights how career preparation can extend far beyond the classroom.
Getting Hired Before Graduation
For Paolo Steven Santos, the transition from student to professional happened earlier.
While pursuing a BS Computer Science degree specializing in Software Engineering, Santos landed a role at Samsung months before officially graduating.
While pursuing a BS Computer Science degree specializing in Software Engineering, Santos landed a role at Samsung months before officially graduating.
A major part of what helped him stand out was the hands-on experience he gained at iACADEMY.
During his thesis, Santos and his team worked using a process similar to one Samsung relied on—an experience that proved valuable when he eventually sat down for his job interview.
“This gave me an edge and helped me get hired even though I was still technically in school,” he reflected.
During the interview, Santos realized just how closely his classroom experience connected with what the company was looking for.
“When I talked about my thesis experience during my interview, I felt it was one of the main reasons I got hired.”
Today, Santos works as a Front-End Engineer at Samsung, where he contributes to high-profile web applications and even participates in technical interviews for prospective hires.
Interestingly, his career path also reflects the importance of being able to explore beyond a prescribed track.
Although his program focused heavily on backend engineering, iACADEMY’s adaptable curriculum allowed Santos to explore front-end framework development—an area that eventually became a defining part of his career.
More Than Technical Skills
For Santos, the learning experience wasn’t only about what was being taught. The environment in which students learned also played an important role.
He points to iACADEMY’s interactive learning environment, small class sizes, and dedicated faculty as factors that helped accommodate different learning styles, including neurodivergent students with ADHD.
“iACADEMY opened the door and laid out the path for me to follow,” Santos reflected. “The practical guidance from our professors and the collaborative culture among students made all the difference in preparing me for high-standard industry expectations.”
“iACADEMY opened the door and laid out the path for me to follow,” Santos reflected. “The practical guidance from our professors and the collaborative culture among students made all the difference in preparing me for high-standard industry expectations.”
And that may be one of the biggest lessons from both alumni stories: being career-ready isn’t simply about knowing how to do the job. It’s also about knowing how to work with people, solve problems, adapt, and keep learning.
Preparing Students for What Comes After Graduation
The experiences of Calimquim and Santos show what can happen when education is connected to the realities of the workplace.
At iACADEMY, the focus goes beyond developing technical and creative skills. Students are also given opportunities to build the project management, people management, collaboration, and practical experience needed to navigate today’s industries.
The institution continues to upgrade its digital platforms, physical facilities, and industry partnerships as part of its efforts to keep its programs aligned with the changing demands of the global market.
Because ultimately, the goal isn’t simply to help students land their first job.
It’s to give them the skills, confidence, and adaptability to keep growing long after they leave the classroom.
For students considering a future in technology and other fast-moving industries, perhaps the bigger question isn’t just, “What degree should I take?” but “How will this education prepare me for the career I want to build?”
For alumni like Calimquim and Santos, their experiences at iACADEMY offer one answer: by making sure learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door.
