The story of Alexander Espadilla of Biliran City is another proof that poverty is not a hindrance to fulfill one’s dream. Even if his family cannot afford to give him a college education, Alex refuses to give up his dream to be a Civil Engineer. After graduating in high school, he tried his best to work and study at the same time.

He worked for five years as a construction laborers, carpenter, mason and plumber while taking a home study course in Building Contractor by ICS of Scranton, Pensylvania, USA.

Upon completion of the home study course, Alex was promoted as a construction foreman. Having held different construction jobs in the construction helped him acquire first hand experiences in the different aspects of the industry.

His meager salary was also able to support the studies of his younger brothers and to meet other needs of his family. Alex also managed to have little savings by working overtime. Not contented with the technical course he finished in ICS, Alex decided to take a B.S. Civil Engineering course in college.

By God's grace, on March 1999, Alex successfully earned his college degree despite the financial difficulties.  

He posted his resume in WorkAbroad then an agency schedules him for a final interview and he was hired. He then went to Manila to look for a job. Because of his previous experiences in construction, he is immediately offered a position as a Construction Foreman in a developer and design company.

While working, Alex studies and prepared for the board exams. As review classes are expensive, Alex resorted to self review. Fortunately, Alex passed the May 2000 Civil Engineering Licensure Examinations and become a Registered Civil Engineer!

With a license, he was immediately promoted to various engineering positions. He is also able to work for a Japanese construction company with a nationwide airports project in the Philippines for three years, then in Dubai International Airport Projects for two years and in Qatar Liquified Natural Gas Plants for a year.

In search of greener pastures and professional advancement, Alex made a decision to work abroad. He posted his resume in WorkAbroad.ph, was immediately scheduled for a final interview by an agency staff and was hired. He is currently employed as a Civil Engineer in Al-Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He Arrived in  Saudi on February 10, 2008.

Alex can say that he now holds his dream job and satisfied with the compensations offered by his employer. A brand new SUV is just one of the benefits he enjoyed that is not offered in his previous companies.

This is Alex’s message to all OFWs around the world? To all OFWs, We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit. Your governing values are the foundation of personal fulfillment. Be pro-active, learn new skills. Always strive for excellence and trust in God then success will follow.