Unemployed Single OFW Becoming a Virtual Assistant

We all have turning points in life that can impact how we live, our perspective, and our choices. I am sharing my experience to inspire my fellow OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers), who are still struggling to search for a new career post OFW life.

In 2020, two of my friends were doing Freelancing. Both of them introduced Virtual Assistance as a remote job but I didn't take it with curiosity. Nevertheless, my friends never stopped encouraging me to explore the same path.

Fast forward to 2022, I received a redundancy letter from the company I served for 15 years. It was heartbreaking and very sad. After 19 years of being an expatriate working in a foreign country, my 'unemployed' status has kicked me real hard.

But God has a way of steering us in the right direction. One morning, I was browsing my Messenger when the FVAConsultancy.com link in an archived chat resurfaced out of nowhere. I clicked and browsed all the courses. It was an epiphany! Suddenly, everything started to make sense! After days of watching vlogs and reading social media posts of current Virtual Assistants before plunging into the sea of Freelancing, I finally signed up for the Freelancing Course.

My top 5 reasons why I train as a Virtual Assistant:

1. That proper training will equip me with knowledge and best practices in Freelancing.

2. That the exercises will prepare me to showcase my abilities to the clients.

3. To develop new skills set as Professional Virtual Assistant that will put me on a competitive edge.

4. I figured I have so much to learn in the Freelancing world to become relevant.

5. I wanted to regain my confidence and keep myself motivated.

I believe that nothing could prepare me better than training, practice, and a new mindset.

Now here are my 5 noteworthy realizations:

1. I was stuck in my "comfort zone" for so long while Freelancing jobs were progressing.

2. The possibility of freedom to manage time between work and family in one place.

3. Knowing Virtual Assistant jobs can help secure me even more if I work harder.

4. That a Tita (Auntie) like me is employable in Freelancing.

5. I realized there is life after being an OFW.

The small wins I made since I started the course mattered a lot to me. For one, I am now writing my very first blog. It is just amazing when new hope unfolds before you. We may find ourselves in an adverse situation beyond our control, but we can be just grateful for it. We can always start somewhere.