“UoPeople Helped Me Turn Years of Experience Into a College Degree,” Says Business Administration Student, Jenbel Joy S.

For Jenbel Joy S., earning a college degree was a goal she put on hold for many years as she built a career through practical experience, self-study, and teaching. Originally from the Philippines and now working as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher in Ecuador, Jenbel is currently earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from University of the People, fulfilling a long-standing academic ambition.

Jenbel grew up in the Philippines with her younger brother, Paul. Since both of their parents worked abroad, their grandparents, aunts, and uncles helped raise them, and she remains grateful for the support of her extended family.

Education came naturally to Jenbel, who consistently ranked first in her class from Grade 1 and graduated from elementary school as valedictorian. Her high school years, however, were marked by several transitions. She initially attended the University of Northeastern Philippines on a scholarship but eventually lost it because her religious observance of the Sabbath prevented her from participating in required Saturday activities. She later transferred to Naga View Adventist College, where adjusting to campus life and living away from home proved difficult. Eventually, she moved to Southern Luzon Institute, where she completed high school.

Despite these challenges, Jenbel remained committed to learning. After graduation, she passed the University of the Philippines College Admission Test and hoped to pursue a four-year degree. When the programs she wanted were already full, she decided to wait for the next semester. In the meantime, she began working as a private tutor.

Her tutoring work grew through referrals, and her employer encouraged her to take the Civil Service Examination for the non-professional level, which she passed. As she gained experience and discovered how much she enjoyed teaching, college gradually took a back seat. Instead, she continued developing her skills through seminars, self-study, and hands-on experience.

For years, Jenbel built her career without a college degree. Eventually, she moved to Ecuador, where she now teaches English in a community-based setting. Although she values the opportunity to teach, she recognized that her lack of a formal degree limited her access to professional opportunities and higher earning potential.

“I wanted to turn the knowledge and experience I had gained through years of work and self-study into a formal degree that could open doors to better professional opportunities,” she explains.

Jenbel discovered UoPeople through a Facebook advertisement. Intrigued, she researched the university and its programs and looked for guidance before deciding to enroll. After completing the university’s English course, she initially chose a computer-related program but found it overwhelming. She eventually switched to Business Administration, which she felt better suited her interests and experience. Choosing Business Administration gave her an opportunity to gain formal knowledge in a field she believes will be useful in her future career.

Her educational journey has also unfolded alongside financial responsibilities at home. Jenbel continues to support her family in the Philippines, where farming is an important source of livelihood. Typhoons, flooding, and other extreme weather events can affect her family’s circumstances, and she tries to help financially while managing her own expenses in Ecuador.

Having experienced educational setbacks and unequal access to opportunities, Jenbel understands the importance of finding alternative ways to keep learning. Her experiences have strengthened her sense of responsibility and reinforced her belief in creating opportunities for herself rather than giving up when circumstances change.

At UoPeople, she found a learning model that made returning to college possible while she continued working. She appreciates the flexibility to manage coursework around her teaching responsibilities, provided she stays organized and submits assignments on time.

“My experience at UoPeople has been very positive, and I would definitely recommend it to others,” she says. “It is a great help for people who are working or struggling financially because the flexible learning format allows students to manage their studies around their work and other responsibilities.”

Balancing work and study requires careful scheduling, discipline, and consistency. Jenbel makes efforts to organize her time and complete her assignments while meeting her professional responsibilities. The flexibility of online learning has helped her maintain that routine and earn her degree at her own pace.

Jenbel is considering pursuing another degree after taking a break from her studies. She also hopes to establish her own language center, where she could teach Filipino, English, and Spanish to learners with different goals and backgrounds.

Outside work, Jenbel enjoys traveling and keeping an eye out for travel promotions that allow her to explore new places. She also appreciates quieter moments spent relaxing, singing, or playing the guitar.

For Jenbel, earning her degree represents the culmination of years of learning, work, and persistence. By returning to college after putting her plans on hold, she has added a formal qualification to the experience she built over many years—and opened up new possibilities for the next stage of her career.