E-Com: Choosing to master in Development Communication

As we get older, the chance of getting a job is too slim. It’s way too far to be employable. In the world of employment, competition is and will be always be tough, experience isn’t an edge but continuous education I guess is one factor. In my opinion, continuing education can guarantee us more knowledge and skills thus giving us competence and confidence. So sad, I didn't realize that when I was younger. I thought getting a 4 year degree and having a job is enough, that staying home taking care of my family would be alright, I was wrong. There's still a part of me craving to be a part of something. To be part of an organization, to work with people personally.

Apart from being a housewife, I've been working full-time at home for 6 years, teaching English as a Second Language online. It was really very challenging on my part for the reason that I am not a teacher by profession. So in order to gain knowledge in teaching ESL and train my students effectively, I took up TESOL course (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Language). In this profession, I found out that teaching ESL is not merely about grammar or vocabulary, reading or writing. It is actually the ability to understand the need of your student to communicate himself in his chosen profession. I find this job really exciting because I have met people from different walks of life and different cultures; students, teachers, advertisers, marketing and bank managers, doctors, mothers, IT professionals, flight stewardess as well as hotel and restaurant employees. It is tough and tiring but at the end of the day, it truly feels rewarding. I was able to do my job as a housewife and don't just train my students but I am also learning.

Working as an English as Second Language teacher has motivated me to go back to school again. This time, in Graduate School. Actually, my first option was to take up Masters in English as a Second Language but my availability and workload would make it impossible for me to pursue it. I tried to find an alternative that suits my very limited time. Sure enough, I was directed to the Open University of Benguet State University. Looking at the courses offered, Development Communication attracted my attention. What came to mind right away was that this program might help me learn more about communication but I was worried that this program might require that the student must be a graduate of Mass Communication or Journalism baccalaureate degree. So, I did some research and I found article to read over the internet. I was surprise what I have found out, that communication is different from development communication. Though in order to achieve development, communication is a must. We all know that communication is the act of transferring information, opinions and ideas through verbal, written, gestures or signs. Development communication was created to help alleviate human condition from poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and social inequalities especially in the Third World Countries. I don't have much clear understanding and my knowledge on development communication are all based on what I have read, however I really agree with the concept of development communication maybe because like others, I also want to equip myself with good skill and be able to understand better how to establish development through communication not only to myself, my family but also to others specially to many housewife working full-time on their homes. And to get a good job outside the four corners of my home. These I guess are 2 reasons I decided to enroll and study Development Communication.

Having an idea about Development Communication made me remember the times I had to do something in order that the foreign company I worked with, would pay the new hires fairly and treat their employees politely and nicely. How I reached out some friends who are also housewives, offered them some skills I learned in order to help them get a home based job like me. Now that we are living in the world with fast changing technology especially in the field of communication, I believe that each of us can make a change for development. I hope that I would finish this program I have started, so help me God. 

If you're given the chance to study again; what will you study and why?

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References 

Diouf, J. (1994). Communication, a Key to human development. FAO Corporate Development Repository. Retrieved August 22, 2015, from http://www.fao.org/docrep/t1815e/t1815e01.htm

(2010). Development communication - an approach to democratic public information system. One Stop Center for Services and Information. Retrieved August 22, 2015, http://www.thusong.gov.za/documents/artic_pres/dev_comm.htm#what