It's already impressive to be a topnotcher in a licensure exam, but imagine being in the top 10 in not just two but three licensure exams, and on top of that, you're also working!
Take for example Conrad Matthew F. Soriano, 28, from Caloocan City, who is currently working as a Civil Engineer at the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS)-Corporate Office. He graduated with a BS in Environmental and Sanitary Engineering from National University-Manila and completed both an MS in Civil Engineering and a BS in Civil Engineering at the University of the Philippines-Diliman.
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| Photo courtesy: Conrad Matthew Soriano/Facebook |
Aside from being the Top 2 in the August 2024 Sanitary Engineering Licensure Examination, he also ranked 4th in the February 2018 Master Plumber PRC Licensure Examination, and 8th in the November 2017 Civil Engineering PRC Licensure Examination! Amazing!
In an exclusive interview with The Summit Express, Soriano shared that he pursued Sanitary Engineering as a requirement for his job at MWSS.
“I chose this program as my second degree because it is in line with my profession as an engineer in the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System - Corporate Office,” he said during the interview.
“For me, finishing this program and getting a sanitary engineering license will help me gain the necessary knowledge and be able to contribute more to the government with the fulfillment of our agency’s mandate on the proper operation and maintenance of waterworks and sewerage systems.”
What challenges, struggles, or problems did he encounter during his college days?
“The main challenge is how to balance work and study. Finding the right balance between working full-time and studying at night is very challenging.”
“There are times when I can’t focus in class because I am already tired from a full day of work. This goes the same during my review period for the licensure exam,” he said.
He shared that while working, he was also reviewing for the board exam.
“Mahirap mag-aral habang nagtatrabaho. Working full-time, time management is very important. I tried to set my schedule and goals, study different resources, and answer different review questions,” he reiterated.
What challenges, struggles, or problems did he encounter during reviews, preparation, and the actual board exam itself?
“I can say this is the same as earlier. The main challenge is how to balance work and study. Finding the right balance between working full-time and studying at night is very challenging. There are times when I can’t focus in class because I am already tired from a full day of work.”
“During the actual board exam, we have this subject called ‘Sanitary Science as Applied to Buildings.’ We didn’t expect the type of questions given in this subject. For me, I counted more than half of the questions of which I have doubts about my answers. Sinabi ko sa sarili ko, baka bumagsak ako nito.”
That's why he was overjoyed when he found out that he passed, and not only that—he ranked 2nd in the exam!
“Noong nalaman kong Top 2 ako, nagulat ako kasi hindi ko nga siya ine-expect dahil do’n sa isang subject na sobrang hirap. Actually ang ginawa ko no’ng araw na ‘yon ay nagpahinga dahil sa sobrang pagod sa review at sa board exam. Binawi ko ‘yong mga pagod at puyat habang nagre-review.”
“I can say that some of my plans are to settle in life, practice my profession, and do what I need to do,” he said when asked about his future plans after passing his third licensure exam.
He also gave a message to aspiring board takers and topnotchers.
“Huwag matakot. If you want to achieve something, work hard and pray hard to reach it. Set your goals especially do’n sa mga may full-time work dahil sobrang hirap mag-manage ng oras.”
Congratulations, Engr. Conrad!
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express
