Engr. Jesseth Nez S. Pasagad: From Beauty Queen to Petroleum Engineer

Today, an accomplished young graduate who has a bright future ahead of her basks in the adulation of a grateful and proud municipality. Jesseth Nez Sendrijas Pasagad, the bubbly and effervescent 16 year old who represented Bilar in the 2012 Miss Teen Bohol Pageant where she emerged 1^st Runner Up and named as Miss Talent is now Engr. Jesseth Nez Pasagad.

Engr. Jesseth S. Pasagad: As debutante & as magna cum laude graduate

Engr. Pasagad recently graduated from Palawan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering degree, Magna Cum Laude and was given the distinction of speaking on behalf of the graduates during their commencement exercises.  Bilar’s first petroleum engineer is the daughter of Zosimo & Aileen Pasagad.

L-R: with Uncle Bruno Gresse, Uncle Hildelito Sendrijas Mama  Aileen 7 brothers  Josh &  Jairus

 Engr. Jesseth Pasagad speaks on behalf of Palawan State University’s graduates

During her college years, she showed her multifaceted personality and versatility thru her involvement in extra and co- curricular activities such as Features Editor of Pioneer, her school’s official student publication and as Miss CEAT 2015, she represented the College of Engineering, Technology and Architecture at the Miss Palawan State University Pageant: The Gold Edition

Jesseth as Pilipinas Shell Petroleum intern and as campus beauty queen

Her most memorable achievement was being chosen with four other school delegates to represent PSU in PETROLIDA 2016 that took place in Institut Sepuluh Nopember in Subaraya, Indonesia. Her group’s design & creation of a miniature floating rig that could withstand both floating & load tests while incorporating modern rig innovations emerged 4^th among nine competing school teams  in the Oil Rig Design Competition. 

4^TH Place in Inter-  School Oil Rig Design Competition held in Subaraya, Indonesia 

As one of the top five students in her batch taking the Petroleum Engineering degree, she was awarded one of the five internship slots at Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. and Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc.   

After the completion of her four- month internship at Pilipinas Shell 

Petroleum Corp. w/ fellow interns & program manager Ms. Marvi Trudeau

Your Roving Eye got the opportunity to ask the young achiever on her short and long- term plans, life after college and joining Miss Bohol 2018

• ARE YOU THE FIRST BOHOLANA PETROLEUM ENGINEER?

No, I'm not the first Boholana Petroleum Engineer. I believe the first was someone from Ubay.

• ARE YOU THE FIRST PETROLEUM ENGINEERING GRADUATE TO FINISH AS MAGNA CUM LAUDE FROM PALAWAN STATE UNIVERSITY? 

Yes, I am the first Magna Cum Laude grad of BSPE.

 • WHAT’S THE SECRET FORMULA FOR YOUR ACHIEVEMENT?   

For me, the secret formula would always be adversity. Adversity forces you to always go out of your comfort zone and it gives you room to grow. How you adapt to adversity is key to how fast you can get closer to your goals.

• ANY MESSAGE FOR THE YOUTH ESPECIALLY FOR GIRLS WHO WISH TO ENTER MALE- DOMINATED COURSES OR CAREERS?

 Never feel intimidated nor stop from pursuing your dreams. For the last five years, I've heard male friends, professors, engineers from the industry tell me that the field is no place for a girl. That is not exactly the case. The industries of today are expanding in order to accommodate the needs of our people. This means that conventionally male-dominated careers are not just for males anymore, but rather, it is also a place where females can showcase their skills in the industry they choose.

• WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER COLLEGE? (SHORT- TERM GOALS)

Right now, my main goal is to just really gain actual experience in my field. I aim to find a job immediately so I don't lose my drive. I've observed that if I stay idle for a long period of time, i tend to get super lazy and I start losing my sense of purpose. So as much as possible I want to have a position in the oil and gas industry despite the downturn issues that it is facing.

 • LONG- TERM PLANS?

Once I get a hold of a stable job and career path, of course, my first priority is to help my family. I want to support them-- my mom in her business, my brothers in their education and my dad in being another provider for the family. I am also open to the idea of having a business, probably something related to food like a restaurant or a cafe.

My passion is also to give back to the community. So once I have the means to, i would very much involve myself in activities and events that would enable me to help and extend support to the people who need it, especially children who are deprived from the basic needs in life.

In terms of self growth, I might pursue a Masters degree or I might just settle down and get married, or both.

• SHALL WE SEE A PETROLEUM ENGINEER ON THE MISS BOHOL STAGE THIS JULY?

Maybe, if given the right circumstances. Being a fresh graduate has been overwhelming me for the past couple of days and I often find myself dreaming of things that I want to do once I get back home. Also, Miss Bohol has always been my mom's dream for me so it's not a far-fetched idea so who knows? I guess for now, my priorities lie on landing a decent job and helping my family first