Many paths lead people to their dream jobs, and for Jamie Hernandez, also known as “Doc Jam,” her journey started when she was a college student. While pursuing her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the University of Southern Mindanao, Pilmico representatives were searching for potential scholars in their school. Despite being unfamiliar with Pilmico then, Doc Jam applied, intending to ease the financial burden of her studies on her parents.
Fortunately, she became a scholar of Pilmico from her fifth year of college up until her board exams, which opened up numerous opportunities for her.
Doc Jam had always dreamed of owning a small piggery farm, which inspired her to pursue Veterinary Medicine. Her on-the-job training (OJT) and thesis study were even conducted on Pilmico’s swine farms in Tarlac, where she received a firsthand learning experience in tending to pigs at different life stages.
As a Pilmico scholar, she also gained valuable learnings beyond the farms through programs like Pilmico’s Junior Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture Congress (PJVAC) and Aboitiz Future Leaders Business Summit (AFLBS), which helped develop her leadership skills.
“Through the scholarship, I was able to join PJVAC and AFLBS, where I learned a lot, and I was inspired by the Aboitiz leaders. At the same time, I had fun kasi magkakaiba kami ng courses ng mga kasama ko so I also found new friends.”
Doc Jam found that her journey, from her internship to her participation in various programs, became more meaningful as she found mentors turned lifelong friends. These relationships and experiences have been invaluable in achieving her goals.
In 2016, she became a Product Supervisor for the Gamefowl Category at Pilmico. Even though it was not the job she initially hoped for in swine farm operations, she embraced this opportunity to learn more about the gamefowl industry, where there are only a few veterinarians.
She also recalled transitioning from being interested in joining the company to thriving in her job. “Before pa, nakita ko na kasi gaano ka warm and compassionate ng Pilmico employees, from the HR team pa lang na pumunta sa school namin dati, napakagaling and napakababait. Malaking factor din ‘yung team leaders; I’m happy that we have leaders who are not only good with their jobs, but they are also compassionate,” she said.
In her passion for the pursuit of learning, she has always lived out the value of being a “student always.” After serving the gamefowl category for six years, Doc Jam is now a Category Supervisor under the Specialty Nutrition division. Her roles and titles may have changed, but her passion for her work remains unchanged. “I love Pilmico,” she simply said when asked why she has been with the company for over six years. “Pilmico made a big impact in my life, hindi na ‘yun mawawala sa akin. I love my job, I enjoy working here, and I have friends that I’m going to keep for life,” she added.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Doc Jam value most about working at Pilmico?
She values the warmth and compassion of her colleagues and leaders, the friendships she has built, and the deep sense of purpose she finds in her work. She has described Pilmico as having made a profound and lasting impact on her life both professionally and personally.
What is this article about?
This article follows the career journey of Jamie Hernandez, known as Doc Jam, a veterinarian who received a Pilmico scholarship while pursuing her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. It highlights how the scholarship opened doors to a fulfilling long-term career in the company she once barely knew.
Why did Doc Jam apply for the Pilmico scholarship?
She applied primarily to reduce the financial burden of her studies on her parents. At the time, she was not familiar with Pilmico, but the opportunity to ease her family’s expenses motivated her to submit an application while studying at the University of Southern Mindanao.
What experiences shaped her during the scholarship period?
Her OJT and thesis were conducted at Pilmico’s swine farms in Tarlac, giving her firsthand experience with pigs at various life stages. She also joined programs like PJVAC and AFLBS, which helped build her leadership skills and expand her professional network.
What role did Doc Jam take on after joining Pilmico as an employee?
She started as a Product Supervisor for the Gamefowl Category in 2016 — a role she had not initially envisioned. Despite this, she embraced it as a learning opportunity and, after six years, transitioned to Category Supervisor under the Specialty Nutrition division.
