TIMES have transformed dramatically. Gone are the days when the young had to wait to mature their skills under the guidance of their elders. The tradition of merely following in the footsteps of those who came first has faded away. The fear of taking risks has lost its grip.
Today, young individuals are empowered to choose their paths, build their dreams, and create their futures.
Technology has played a significant role in these developments. From reading digital newspapers and browsing the internet to engaging on social media and creating content with the help of artificial intelligence, technology has transformed how we interact with information.
This generation, having grown up in this digital age, can easily participate in and contribute to current trends such as filmmaking, marketing, and content creation.
I met some young professionals in their mid-20s to early 30s who believe in the power of collaboration, where each member contributes to the growth of the team.
Benjune “Jay” L. Alatraca, the founder of Big Brains, was one of my students in Broadcasting and Journalism classes at Ateneo de Davao University. I had no idea back then that he harbored such a grand dream of creating his own team until I began seeing his posts on social media. It became clear to me that he was embarking on something significant.
Big Brains is a digital team that specializes in digital marketing, creating video commercials, sound and music production, and photo and video coverage. Each member brings creative skills to the table to produce compelling content. After all, we live in a fast-paced, visual world.
We no longer listen to radio stations unless we want to catch live news stories, and even then, social media often has them first. Printed newspapers have become less common; we can easily read the news online. Everything is evolving to become more visual.
Jay envisions leading the digital marketing industry in the country. He believes that being in a developing nation doesn’t mean we lag behind in technology, especially as we transition into Web 3.0. Our education system has equipped us with the training needed to foster critical thinking and creativity.
He aspires to inspire the younger generation to be more innovative, which is why he established Big Brains with the tagline: “Big moves for big impact; we make brands big.”
At 26, he is now the Chief Executive Officer of his own company. He invited some skilled and talented classmates and friends to create digital content. He wants to make Big Brains a place where top talent unites to create impactful success that drives positive change.
When I reunited with a group of former students after nearly ten years, I was not only reminded of my journey but I was filled with joy to see how they are passionately pursuing their dreams. They are allowing themselves to grow, be more creative, and prepare to compete in the world.
The real world is a competition, after all. If we don't challenge ourselves to be more creative, we won't reach our goals. Everything is evolving, so we must be flexible to adapt to these changes.
It is just so amazing to see young professionals shine on their own. They are not afraid to take risks. While they still need the wisdom of the old, they bring a vibrant energy that deserves to be celebrated.