Building His Future from the Ground Up: The Civil Engineering Journey of Engr. Carl Sajelan
Not every engineering story begins with confidence—some begin with rejection, doubt, and starting from behind. Engr. Carl Sajelan’s journey from a HUMSS graduate to a licensed civil engineer is proof that determination can outweigh any disadvantage. From being denied entry into multiple engineering programs to eventually graduating Cum Laude, his path was built on persistence, discipline, and a willingness to adapt. This is a story for every student who feels like they don’t belong—because sometimes, the ones who start last end up going the farthest.
From Rejection Letters to a Second Chance Worth Fighting For
Before becoming a successful civil engineer, Engr. Carl Sajelan had to face a lot of challenges just to get into the program he wanted to take. As a HUMSS graduate, he was rejected from getting into the Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering courses because, back then, the University was giving priority to STEM students. Rejected three times, he was about to give up and take a different route.
Instead of giving up, he took a risk and wrote a letter to the University President appealing for a chance to get into the program he wanted to take. It was a risk that changed everything for him because when he was approved, he became a late entrant, a little behind, but he was ready to catch up.
Starting from Behind: The Reality of Being a Non-STEM Student in Engineering
His first year was one of the toughest phases of his journey. Lacking a STEM education, he had to study advanced subjects such as Calculus, Physics, and Chemistry, along with studying the basics that he had never learned. It was like running a race, where all the other runners already had a head start.
He considered himself to be at the bottom of his class, working twice as hard just to keep up. While others had the advantage of already knowing, he had to build everything from scratch. Instead of letting this discourage him, he let this be his motivation to work harder and be better.
The Turning Point: Studying Ahead and Changing the Game
However, all this changed when he realized a technique that was effective for him: studying beforehand. Given a brief respite between school terms, he decided to utilize this break to learn the next terms’ material through online sources such as YouTube.
This was initially done out of survival instincts, but it soon became a strength for him. He noticed significant improvements in his academic performance. He was no longer at the bottom of his class but one of the top performers in examinations and quizzes.
This newfound confidence prompted him to join quiz bowl competitions, where he slowly rose to prominence.
From Catching Up to Standing Out: Achievements Earned Through Consistency
In his third and fourth years, Engr. Sajelan was no longer trying to catch up, he was leading. He always studied ahead, participated in academic competitions, and even went beyond his limits. He never took his workload and pressure lightly, yet he remained true to his goals.
His hard work paid off when he became a quiz bowl champion in his department and college, and represented his university in a Mindanao-wide competition, finishing among the top participants. He graduated Cum Laude, received the Best Capstone Award, and won Excellence in Structural Engineering, a testament to how far he had come from his first year in college.
Preparation Over Pressure: Lessons from His Board Exam Journey
However, after he graduated, he established a new goal for himself, and that was to land a spot within the Top 10 of the board exam results. He enrolled in an online review program and did exceptionally well in the pre-board exams, always ending up among the top performers. Though he did not land a spot among the top 10, he was able to pass the exam and get his license to practice.
The biggest lesson he learned was that preparation is everything. He learned that the stress and anxiety he felt before were because he was not really prepared. So, he changed his focus from just passing the exam to actually understanding the lessons.
A Message to Those Who Feel Left Behind
If there is one thing that Engr. Sajelan wants to remind future engineers of, it is this: preparation is the key. Success is never an overnight achievement, nor is it achieved through shortcuts. It is achieved through early and purposeful preparation.
His story is also proof that where one comes from is never an indication of where one will go. If one feels lost and unsure of himself or herself, the important thing to do is to continue. With enough determination and effort, one will be able to turn even the most unlikely of beginnings into an epic story.
The story of Engr. Carl Sajelan is one that reminds us that being underestimated is never an obstacle, but rather the greatest motivation one will ever have. From being underestimated to being understood, Engr. Carl Sajelan built his story one decision at a time.
And at the end of it all, Engr. Carl Sajelan did not just prove that he belonged. He also proved that he could rise.