MANILA, Philippines – Before the licenses, certifications, and professional titles, Mark Joseph N. Nieva was a student trying to make it through college while working to help meet his daily needs.
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| Photo courtesy: Mark Joseph Nieva |
At 39, the Lucena City engineer has built a journey shaped by limited time and resources, but also by curiosity, discipline, and a determination to keep learning.
In an exclusive interview with The Summit Express, Nieva shared how his journey from working student to licensed professional unfolded one milestone at a time.
“I was a working student during college,” Nieva recalled, explaining how he balanced school and work to help cover his daily expenses and school allowance.
He was also fortunate to receive scholarships, including one through the school’s marching band and other government scholarship programs.
Those experiences taught him to manage his time, become resourceful, and make the most of every opportunity.
Nieva earned his BS Mechanical Engineering degree from Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation (MSEUF) in 2010, but his education did not end with a diploma.
Over the years, his pursuit of knowledge led to eight PRC credentials:
2012 — Registered Mechanical Engineer (RME)
2014 — Certified Plant Mechanic
2014 — Registered Master Electrician (RME)
2016 — Registered Master Plumber (RMP)
2024 — Registered Electrical Engineer (REE)
2024 — Electronics Technician
2025 — Licensed Professional Teacher (LPT)
2026 — Professional Mechanical Engineer (PME)
His professional development also includes certifications in instrumentation and control, mechatronics and automation, and plumbing, along with accreditation as a Certified Energy Manager, Occupational and Health Practitioner, and ASEAN Engineering Technologist.
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| Mark Joseph N. Nieva receives his ASEAN Engineering Technologist recognition, marking another milestone in his continuing professional journey. Photo courtesy: Mark Joseph Nieva |
His love for Mathematics and fascination with machines led him to Mechanical Engineering, while his later exposure to electrical works sparked another interest.
Even as a student, Nieva was already preparing for the board exam, knowing he could not afford to go to Manila for a review center.
“Nag-focus ako sa pag-intindi ng concepts kaysa puro memorization,” he said, adding that consistency and making good use of limited time became key to his preparation.
That same curiosity eventually led him to pursue Electrical Engineering through the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) while already practicing as a Mechanical Engineer.
For Nieva, the second degree was not simply about adding another credential, but about deepening knowledge gained through actual work experience.
“I’m proud that I continued learning even after becoming a professional engineer,” he said.
One realization continues to guide him: “Learning doesn’t stop when you get a license.”
He also shares his knowledge with others, believing that “knowledge becomes more meaningful when it helps someone else move forward.”
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| Mark Joseph N. Nieva serves as a resource speaker, sharing his knowledge and experience with aspiring professionals and learners. Photo courtesy: Mark Joseph Nieva |
Today, he continues his professional work through Baito Engineering Services, which he started in 2022, while considering further studies in Civil Engineering and a related master’s degree.
His advice to future board exam takers is simple: “Huwag matakot kung mahirap ang journey.”
“Even small progress matters as long as you don’t stop,” he added, urging aspiring professionals to learn from their mistakes, pursue their goals, and make no excuses.
For Nieva, eight PRC credentials are not the finish line, but milestones in a lifelong journey of learning, growth, and helping others move forward.
— The Summit Express
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