Maxino to Masscom students: Learn beyond the classroom
Desiree Maxino advises Mass Communication students to explore new learnings outside of the classroom. (Photo by Franz Acaylar)
“There are viable lessons to learn outside the classroom and these classes can have practical applications that impact not just ourselves but also our communities, so keep your eyes open.”
This is the challenge Desiree Maxino, a Bachelor of Mass Communication alumna (Batch 1999), posed to Silliman University College of Mass Communication (CMC) students during their organization’s general assembly held August 15, 2024 at the Audio Visual Theater. The assembly was CMC’s first event celebrating Silliman University’s 123rd founding anniversary.
A magna cum laude graduate, Maxino went to John Hopkins University, USA, where she pursued her master’s degree in international public policy. She then worked in various fields such as logistics, air transportation and lobbying, government, academe, and media.
As the guest speaker, Maxino provided key points to the students on the importance of communication as a tool to influence action and shape public policy in the country.
According to her, it is vital for students to learn and form habits by “studying inside and outside the classroom.”
“While your syllabus provides an outline of what you are expected to learn in class, it is a frame for study [that is] not limited to your exploration,” she said. “So explore and earn opportunities outside the classroom.”
As a visiting worker in Latin America, Maxino focused on studying informal economy sectors in Mexico City and shared that her exposure informed her of “the idea and concepts of addressing different societal issues in the Philippines.”
“It brought me a broader understanding of public policy that is more inclusive and it allowed me to draw parallels between Latin America and my home region of Southeast Asia or the south-to-south comparison of problems and solutions,” she said.
Moreover, the alumna urged the students to build their own network of interest and learning community to share what they know and contribute to the collective knowledge.
“Those who keep their knowledge and opinions to themselves deprived the learning community of the excitement and opportunity to consider and to build alternative proposals for the minority voices, new concepts, and new ways of thinking,” Maxino stressed.
Aside from her talk, Maxino also entertained students’ questions concerning their career path in mass communication, on maximizing potentials, and on developing a healthy school environment.
The general assembly was organized in collaboration with the Kapunungan sa mga Mass Communicators, CMC’s academic student organization. It is held every semester to orient CMC students about the college and the student council’s upcoming plans. (Kean Andrei Bagaipo, Balitang Maskomista)
