Jessica Avila
BCS 2001 & MBA 2014
What course/grade did you graduate from JRU? What year did you graduate?
– I graduated with a Bachelor Commercial Science degree major in Finance. I also took a Masters degree in Business Administration at Jose Rizal University. I studied in JRU from elementary to college up to postgrad studies.
What were your happy moments as a student in JRU?
– My happy moments as a student in JRU, when I joined the Miss JRC pageant in 2000 and won the grand title. I consider this as happy moments because I saw friends, family especially my mother who fully supported me. I can hear the audience applauding loudly when I was called and they even made an effort to make a banner for me during the pageant.
I also like our hangout place that was called BATIBOT. Our friendship is really solid and when there are no classes, we will all hang-out there in BATIBOT. Another happy moment for me as a student was when during recitation, all of us in class were really scared to be called by the professor because these professors were really great, especially during evening class. They really have a solid work experience as they teach us what actually happens in the industry itself. These professors were also really cool and they were the ones who motivated us to study. We actually have a thing in our class that whoever fails to answer in the recitation should all treat us to dinner.
What is your current career?
– Currently, I am a part time professor in JRU and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig teaching Business Management and Credit and Collection. I am also a part owner of the logistics company of my family.
If I plan to retire, I would still focus on teaching because it is my passion as well as managing our business.
What lessons have you learned from JRU that helped you reach your milestone?
– Never give-up because ever since I was in College up to the time that I was taking my Masteral degree, I was a working student. I never gave up even though I find it difficult. Imagine, I would work from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 pm during weekdays then I would take my classes after. Even though it was a very challenging time for me, that did not stop me from studying. I always thought to myself that I have to graduate and through my hard work, patience, and diligence, I earned my Bachelor and Masters Degrees.
Never stop learning. Do not assume that you know everything because that is arrogance, and when arrogance takes over you, that’s when things start to go wrong.
What advice do you have for students as they look for future careers or future programs to apply to?
– I always tell this to my students that they should build a work industry experience that is aligned with what they have studied for as training is very different from the industry itself. Never give up and never stop learning. Also, they should always have a positive attitude.
What can JRU do for you as an alumna?
– Personally, I don’t really have a wish from JRU. JRU served as my instrument to be successful in life. I would like to thank my former professors who served as an inspiration to me, hence why I was able to earn my BSC and Masters degrees.
