The Business of Business Majors
Written By Daisy Willis
To Our Future Graduates; “Congratulations!! All the hard work you have put in is now paying off, but the work is not over yet. Take everything you have learned and go out there with confidence when you are applying and interviewing for jobs. Confidence is key!” - Jesica Pacheco
Are your ready to graduate? Are you ready to take on the world of job hunting and career building? Are you ready to find your place in the employment industry in a way that applies your degree? The answer to those questions are probably no, but don’t worry, there is hope for everyone! It is always possible to find an employment position in your field if you know where to look, and University of Hawaii at Hilo Alumnus Jesica Pacheco is a perfect example of a local woman who successfully made her way into the community by applying her UHH degree.
UH Hilo Alumnus, Jesica Pacheco who is currently the Registrar, Executive Assistant to the Principal, and Office Manager at St. Joseph School Hilo. Photo provided by Jesica Pacheco.
A graduate of Business Administration with a Management concentration, Jesica is currently employed at St. Joseph’s School as the Registrar for the Jr./Sr. High School, the Executive Assistant to the Principal, and the Office Manager that oversees both the Elementary and High School offices. She wears many hats in her current position and some of her duties include being responsible for all student records and daily office duties such as answering phones, receipting payments, preparing deposits, and making supply orders. She works to coordinate admissions and placement testing for new students, all parent and staff correspondence, fundraising coordination, internship coordination, and anything that the Principal may need. Having held her position for nearly 2 years, Jesica is well versed in with the inner working of St. Joseph’s and she has her time at the UHH to thank for her current success.
When asked about her experience at the university, Jesica stated “My degree from UHH has helped me in the job market by giving me the tools to succeed. The courses I took all helped prepare me for situations that may come up during employment with a company. Another great thing about UHH is the connections I formed with my professors. Even after graduation I was still able to reach out to some of them if I had a question or even if I needed a reference for a job application.”
UH Hilo Alumnus, Jesica Pacheco poses at one of her favorite spots on campus at St. Joseph School Hilo. Photo taken by ALEX Editor, Amber Manini.
Jesica’s work in the community can serve as an excellent inspiration to continuing and graduating students alike. During her UHH career she took advantage of all the wonderful resources our campus has to offer, from clubs to internships, to fraternities. She made the best out of her college experience and so can you! The UHH advising center offers an excellent support system for students look to prepare themselves for the real world. So if you are a continuing student, learn from Jesica’s experience and take your education by the reins!
To Students just starting their college career; “Go out there and seize the opportunities that arise during those years at the University. Focusing on studies is very important, but along with that don't forget to branch out and get involved in clubs, internships, or even working a job at the same time. Not only does this help with networking, but it really helps to learn about time management, which is an important and useful skill to have.” - Jesica Pacheco
