Mieca

I came from the import and export industry. We are the people behind transportation, documentation, and clearances of imported and exported things to and fro the country. 

 I decided to be a full-time mom by 2018.

The pandemic we are facing is scary and oppressive, but it also opened new doors and windows to growth. Thanks to the idea of remote work, I can regain a career while still being physically present with my girls. There is no need to choose. Sadly, I have not seen remote work opportunities in line with international trade facilitation. This field and the situation within demand the classic office set up. But I can no longer sustain that. I am shifting my career.

I now do content writing, graphic designs & ideas if needed, and upgrading to SEO. Google says the criteria have changed, and contents that provide real value to customers are more valuable today. So I trust content writing and SEO come hand in hand. Graphic design, on the other hand, is something I like to explore and enjoy with my preschooler. She likes it - a lot!

However, I saw that freelancing, working from home, remote jobs are somehow glorified. It appears formidable, at least for me. Those "Sana all (I hope everyone)" stories I saw and read are inspirational, but for career shifters like me, the terrains are difficult. What they are looking for is the best person, with more accomplishment, and the best portfolio.

I think I can do customer service or virtual assistant jobs. I served as an import documentation team leader, used to do customer service to supervisors, team leaders, and small business owners, and planned how we shall be every week. So, I observed how CSRs talk or chat to me in my complaints, watched Youtube videos for tips and tricks, applied a lot, and did not even get a response. Funny. I thought I can do that. 

Blessed are those who find easy paths but those struggling like fresh grads, let us keep on. As Sir Jan Philippe of Microsoft said at a conference, be the learn-it-all person. If someone like Microsoft believes the learn-it-all motto of human capital, opportunities are boundless. One day we shall find that good start.