Testimonial

Leaping Into the Unknown: How Yeshua Found Confidence and Career Direction with eduCLaaS

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For many students, life after high school feels like a checklist, get the grades, enroll in a university, sit through lectures, and hope it all leads to a job. But for Yeshua Bitawa Cestona, an 18-year-old from Baguio City, Philippines, that script didn’t quite fit. His story isn’t about having a roadmap or a dream school. It’s about choosing a different kind of start, about stepping out of his comfort zone, trusting the process, and learning along the way.
 
This is Yeshua’s story: a journey fueled by purpose, resilience, and the power of saying yes to something new.
A Curious Mind in Challenging Times
Yeshua describes himself as an “average student,” but what he lacked in grades, he made up for with curiosity and creativity. He loved gaming and digital content, two passions that eventually nudged him toward digital marketing. But growing up wasn’t easy. His family faced financial challenges, especially after his father’s accident, and those realities shaped the way he thought about the future.
 
He knew that whatever path he took, it had to be practical and sustainable, not just for himself, but to ease the burden on his parents.
 
“I wanted something practical and sustainable, something that wouldn’t make my parents worry about tuition fees,” he shares.
 
Traditional university? Too expensive. Four years of lectures before entering the workforce? Not ideal. He needed something different. Something faster. Something real.
Choosing a Path Without a Map
When Yeshua came across the Digital Business program at eduCLaaS, he didn’t overthink it. In fact, he didn’t even do a deep dive into the details. All he knew was that the program offered flexibility, real-world training, and a chance to earn while learning. That was enough.
 
He took the leap.
 
“I wasn’t sure what to choose. I saw the Applied Degree in Digital Business, and I just decided, I’ll go with that,” Yeshua recalls.
 
His mother was initially shocked when he revealed his decision. But as she learned more about the program, especially the fact that it was tuition-supported and job-integrated, she gradually shifted from doubt to support.
 
And so began Yeshua’s first real step into a future he hadn’t fully imagined yet.
Bootcamp Beginnings: A New Way of Learning
The first 12 months at eduCLaaS were intensive. The bootcamp format was unlike anything Yeshua had experienced in school. There were no long lectures or mindless note-taking. Instead, it was interactive, hands-on, and very real.
 
At first, it was hard. The presentations were intimidating. Group work was unfamiliar. The pressure to perform felt heavier than expected. But Yeshua pushed through. He learned to adapt, collaborate, and communicate. He began picking up technical tools and learning how to manage deadlines.
 
The real game-changer? The mentorship.
 
“The way mentors gave feedback really helped me. They didn’t just tell me what to fix—they showed me how to make it better. That was impactful for me.”
 
By the end of the bootcamp, Yeshua wasn’t just absorbing knowledge. He was starting to see how it connected to the real world.
Real Work, Real Skills: The Apprenticeship Experience
After the bootcamp, Yeshua entered his apprenticeship as a Marketing Associate, a role that gave him his first true taste of the working world.
 
Unlike traditional internships that often sideline students with minor tasks, this apprenticeship made Yeshua part of the team. He contributed to email campaigns, supported content creation, and learned how to use HubSpot, a tool he’d only previously seen in assignments.
 
But more importantly, he began to understand the rhythm of real business operations: daily scrums, client deadlines, and performance goals. He learned how to communicate in meetings, balance multiple responsibilities, and most of all, apply his learning in real-time.
 
“Because I’m doing the work, I’m actually applying what I’ve learned. That’s what makes it fun. I don’t feel like I’m just studying, I’m contributing.”
 
Now nearly ten months into his apprenticeship, Yeshua finds the experience not only useful, but exciting. He’s no longer just a student. He’s a practitioner in progress.
Looking Ahead: Still Exploring, Still Growing
Today, Yeshua is in his second year with eduCLaaS. While he hasn’t nailed down a specialization just yet, he’s leaning toward content creation, a field he believes is vital in today’s digital age. He’s even started making content on his own, further sharpening his skills outside of class.
 
What matters most to him now is growth. He wants to continue learning, build a strong portfolio, and remain open to the possibilities that the digital world has to offer. Whether that leads to a business of his own or a high-impact role in a creative agency, he’s not in a rush. He’s moving forward with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
The Advantage of Starting Early
When asked what he’s most proud of, Yeshua doesn’t point to a certificate or a single achievement. He talks about experience.
 
While many of his peers are still in classrooms, he’s already working, learning, and earning. He’s building his future in real-time, not waiting for graduation to “start life.”
 
Balancing work from Monday to Friday and classes on Saturdays isn’t always easy, but it’s doable. And for Yeshua, the key is simple: rest, consistency, and loving what you do.
A Message to Students Like Him
Yeshua knows what it feels like to be unsure, to doubt yourself, and to wonder if you’re falling behind. But his journey is proof that you don’t need a perfect plan, you just need to start.
 
His advice to other students?
 
“Focus on what you really like and what you’re passionate about. That will keep you motivated and help you build a career you actually enjoy. Apply what you learn. Ask questions. Seek feedback. That’s how you grow.”
 
And most of all, don’t wait.
A Different Start Can Lead to the Right Direction
Yeshua’s story is a reminder that the traditional path isn’t the only path. That real growth comes from real experience. That even if you don’t know exactly where you’re going, taking that first step can change everything.

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