The Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) has helped countless young Filipinos achieve their dreams, and for Ms. Mae Anne Tesara, it became the foundation for her passion and career in human resources.
Tesara, a registered psychometrician, currently works as an HR and Admin Assistant at Devteam Outsourcing Inc. Her journey began when she was hired as a SPES beneficiary from 2017 to 2023 in Brgy. E. Lopez and the Silay City Public Employment Service Office (PESO).
Recalling her experiences as a SPES beneficiary, Tesara shared how she discovered her love for HR work. “The clerical tasks, organizing, filing, and even assisting on a City-wide Job Fair gave me firsthand insight into HR works. It was during that job fair that I found my deep interest in Human Resources – the opportunity to meet diverse personalities and find the right person fit for the job enticed me,” she said.
The SPES program opened up opportunities that shaped her career path. “SPES wasn’t just a summer job for me; it was an eye-opener that helped me discover the career path that I want to be in,” Tesara explained. “And when I got what I want, I wanted to further my career in Human Resource, and I achieved my goal to become a Licensed Psychometrician.”
Tesara’s story is also one of perseverance. Coming from a poor family, her parents struggled to provide for their basic needs, much less the educational expenses for her and her two siblings. Her father worked as a security guard while her mother was a housewife.
The financial burden weighed heavily on the family, but SPES provided much-needed relief. “SPES became my lifeline, a source of relief both financially and emotionally. It allowed me to contribute to my education and lessen my parents’ worries about school supplies and fees,” she said.
Tesara’s hard work and dedication led to her admission as a scholar at Carlos Hilado Memorial State University – Talisay Campus. While the scholarship covered part of her school fees, her earnings from SPES helped her cover the remaining costs, allowing her to complete her Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2023.
Despite the challenges she faced, Tesara’s story is a testament to the impact of the SPES program in shaping young people’s futures. Her advice to others pursuing their dreams is clear: “Seize every opportunity that comes your way. Opportunities don’t always come around, so when they do, take them seriously and make the most of them. Use them to grow, and never forget to appreciate the journey once you succeed.”
SPES continues to play a crucial role in helping students like Tesara achieve their goals, not only through financial assistance but also by igniting passions and inspiring career paths.
