"PACE helped me land my current job as a Marketing Coordinator because of the tips and quality of education shared in the classroom," says Melissa Sta. Cruz, a PACE graduate from the Public Relations, Marketing, and Strategic Communications Diploma program. She successfully transitioned into a rewarding role at Arctic Co-operatives. Originally from the Philippines, Melissa joined PACE in fall 2022 and found the 13-month program to be an enriching and transformative experience.

Melissa recalls her time at PACE as packed with valuable lessons both inside and outside the classroom. "The best thing about joining PACE is that, beyond the things you learn within the four walls of the classroom, it's also about learning a lot of crucial things to help you find a job and thrive in a working environment," she says. Her class, consisting of 25 people—21 of whom were international students from different parts of the world—provided a diverse learning environment that contributed significantly to her personal and professional growth.

Now working at Arctic Co-operatives, Melissa credits PACE for helping her land the role. "PACE helped me land this role not only through classroom learning but also by teaching me how to align myself with the company I wanted to work with," she explains. She emphasizes the importance of a well-crafted cover letter, a skill she honed at PACE, as a key factor in her successful job search.

Melissa's advice to current and prospective PACE students is to be ready to absorb everything and look beyond the classroom. "Gear up and be ready to absorb everything you need to learn. Look beyond what's inside the classroom; you'll learn a lot more than what's in textbooks or lesson plans. Open your eyes to new experiences and challenges because you'll learn a lot from there too."

Melissa's journey from PACE to Arctic Co-operatives exemplifies the transformative power of practical, industry-relevant education, inspiring current and future students to embrace all learning opportunities and thrive in their careers. 

Melissa Sta. Cruz 
Marketing Coordinator 
Arctic Co-operatives