How working for McDonald’s Philippines changed the lives of these part-time students for the better

While there are a lot of job openings on the market, finding a company that genuinely cares for you is no easy feat. Oftentimes, it’s done through trial and error—you join one first without knowing what to expect, only to realize later on that you’re not valued, leaving you exhausted and uninspired to face each day.

Getting to the right employer for you can be time-consuming, but once you know you’re in the right hands, it could change your life forever. Take for example these part-time students who have seen their lives improve for the better since they joined McDonald’s Philippines as crew members.

Ivy Asuncion, 22

Christine Ivy Asuncion recently obtained a degree in Industrial Technology, major in Food Processing and Service Management with flying colors from Mariano Marcos State University in Batac City, Ilocos Norte. It’s one thing to graduate cum laude in college, but having done so with a job on the side is quite another. 

The 22-year-old is living with her dad and younger sibling in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, while her mother and sister are making a living in Malaysia and Dubai, respectively. She decided to get a part-time job at McDonald’s during her last semester in school to pay for her education and, at the same time, help with their household expenses.

“Malaking bagay po lalo na sa mga students ang mabigyan ng opportunity to work in McDo,” she shared. “Napakagandang trabaho po para sa mga students kasi marami pong mga benefits na ibinibigay po ang McDo, tulad ng 20% discount ‘pag nag-oorder ka, mga free meals, free uniforms.”

Ivy added that she’s thankful they have the choice to pick their own work schedules, giving her enough time to do well in school, too. “Kumbaga, ibinibigay po ‘yung time availability ng student para makapag-aral habang nagwowork,” she explained.

At McDonald’s, she learned how to work in a fast-paced setting and adapt to different roles—all while embracing unexpected challenges with a big smile and pure enthusiasm. According to her, teamwork and shared laughter have been helpful for them in getting through hectic shifts.

As she aims for a management role at the fast food restaurant, Ivy is looking to use all her learnings so far—just like how McDonald’s has shown her the power of commitment to excellence and passion for service. “Parang may naibigay po 'yung work na ito na hindi maibibigay ng iba,” she opened up.

Sherinata Said, 22

A 22-year-old holder of a degree in Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Sherinata Said of Zamboanga was inspired by her manager sibling to work for McDonald’s when she reached her third college year at Western Mindanao State University to help her family with their household expenses.

"McDonald’s gives a good opportunity po—opportunity po para sa mga working students. 'Yung mga nangangailangan para maitawid po ang pag-aaral. Nakakatulong po ang McDonald's sa aming mga working students,” she said.

Sherinata has been a service crew at the fast food chain’s Zamboanga store for two years now. When she was still studying, she had to take late-night to morning shifts from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. before going to school each day.

A self-confessed introvert, Sherinata noted how McDo changed her personality for the better. 

“At first po, mahirap po talaga siya, pero habang tumatagal po siya, bale parang nakukuha ko na po kung paano mag-interact ng tama, ngumiti, at makikipag-interact sa customers,” she shared. 

"Halimbawa, kapag sa front counter ako, if may customer na nagtatanong, hindi na po ako nauutal. Nakikipag-usap na po ako ng direct na nakatingin sa mata,” she continued. "Kasi dati po, hindi po talaga nauutal po ako kapag kaharap ang customer. Pero habang tumatagal po parang nasanay na po ako kung paano makipag-usap at tumingin sa kanilang mata.”

Aside from improving her communication skills, Sherinata could only turn out grateful to McDonald’s for showing her the value of a strong work ethic, time management, and professionalism that she knows would be just as important in whatever path she would take in the future. 

She described McDo as a place where employees are valued as she, for one, always feels heard and supported not just by her colleagues but also her managers.

According to Sherinata, McDonald’s care for others also shows in how they’re serving Halal food in their Zamboanga branch, making it accessible and inclusive to the local community as well.

For these and more, she sees McDo as a place where she can continue to grow and be better not just as an employee but as a person to everyone around her. “Madami po akong natutunan at patuloy pa din na natututo,” she said.

Harry Noche, 19

When Harry Noche, 19, is not busy with his studies, he’s working as a part-time crew member at the fast food chain's branch in Lemery, Batangas. 

As the third of four siblings, he decided to apply for the job to make ends meet and support himself as he pursues a degree in Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. “McDo ‘yung nagbigay ng opportunity po para sa ‘kin. Parang McDo po 'yung nag nagbukas ng daan para makapag-aral po ako sa college,” he said, noting how it has been a stable source of income for him, which eventually turned into something that helped him grow not just in his professional life but also his personal life.

As a working student, he had to learn how to do things fast and efficiently wherever he is. His routine involves going to school at 7:00 a.m. and leaving at 4:00 p.m. to catch some sleep at home before getting ready for his closing shift at McDo. "Tapos tulog ulit po ng few hours, three hours, [tapos] school naman po ulit,” he shared. "Malapit lang sa amin ang McDo, mga two kilometers. Mga ten minutes nandoon na po ako.”

Harry knows that nothing worth having comes easy, so his optimism and determination to do well at work never wavered. He was even named “Crew of the Month” at the restaurant, which undoubtedly gave his self-confidence a boost and inspired him to work harder for his goals.

“Maganda po ang work culture kaya namo-motivate kami,” he said, noting that he’s happy with the friendships he has formed at work—from his fellow crew members to his managers. 

For the 19-year-old, working at McDo taught him the importance of teamwork, dedication, loyalty, and integrity—lessons that he can use in the future as he continues to dream of a more comfortable life for himself and his family.

"Dahil sa McDo po maraming experience po akong naranasan. Sobrang dami. Sa McDo, natutunan ko po ang tunay na buhay at kaya 'kong maging 'the best' sa ano mang gusto kong tahakin para sa pamilya ko,” he said.

For Ivy, Sherinata, and Harry, working at McDonald’s Philippines has not only provided them with financial support but also equipped them with essential life skills, a sense of community, and a path towards personal growth. McDonald's has become more than just a workplace but a platform for learning, resilience, and self-discovery— empowering them to chase their dreams as they continue their life journeys.

For more information, visit the McDonald’s Careers Facebook page or McDonald’s Philippines LinkedIn to check out career opportunities with McDonald’s Philippines.

To stay updated about Mcdonald’s Philippines and its offerings, visit its website or follow them on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

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Editor’s Note: BrandedUp is designed to provide you with insightful, inspiring, and educational content created by PhilSTAR L!fe in collaboration with brands like McDonald's Philippines.