CHANGING CAREER PATH AMIDST PANDEMIC

Is there a point in your life when you thought that you were already in the right career path, then one day you realized that things have completely changed and you are starting to seek for something different? Well, I’ve been in that situation recently. For sure there are more like me, especially now during COVID-19 pandemic when countless jobs and businesses got adversely affected. It feels confusing, even frustrating sometimes, right?

Delivering a lecture on Integrated Coastal Management for DENR regional field personnel.

Dream Career

My background is on Biology and I dreamt of pursuing medicine. However, due to financial issues that time, I was not able to follow my dream of being a doctor. Fate led me to Marine Science and I completely fell in love with it.

Our county hosts a rich and diverse marine ecosystem. Have you seen the different colorful fish and corals in the ocean whenever you go snorkeling or diving? It really is a different world under there. It’s so enchanting! Aside from its beauty, our marine environment provides several benefits to mankind such as food source, protection from storm surges, recreation and many more. That is the reason why I had worked in the environmental sector for more than 10 years.

My family and friends considered me very lucky for having a job that allows me to travel all around the country and dive in different protected areas, for free! Yes, it was indeed my dream career. I get to see the wonders of our country and at the same time, contributing to its management and sustainable development for the future generations.

Conducting an underwater assessment in Apo Reef Natural Park, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines

Unforeseeable Drawbacks: Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and COVID-19 Pandemic

However, as much as I love my job, it can be very exhausting and demanding. I got married in early 2017 and since then, I had worked and stayed in the metro during weekdays and went home to my husband in the province every weekend. Our business and home is located in Batangas so he cannot move in with me in Quezon City.

That year started to be blissful for me and my husband but it ended to be a devastating one. We lost our first child. I can still feel the excruciating pain that we've been through. Since then, I slowly lost my drive at work. It felt like it was my entire fault why it happened because in my mind, I failed to take care of myself and my baby. But I had to go on with my life so I just kept myself busy with my career. I went on the same work routine. Weekdays at the office/field, weekends at home with my husband. Sometimes my work even steals weekends from us whenever I have fieldwork.

After cautiously deliberated and weighed things out, I decided to quit my job. I did it so I could focus on my husband and on our goal to have a baby. I got the chance to unwind and relax, and luckily I got pregnant again.

However, we lost our second child AGAIN. I was diagnosed with a reproductive-immune disorder, a condition where my immune system attacks the developing child inside my body. We were once more crushed by this unfortunate situation. Our doctor advised us that in order to have a successful pregnancy, we have to undergo with series of EXPENSIVE laboratory tests and treatments. As we’ve been desperately longing to be parents, of course we are more than willing to do anything to have a baby!

Our problem now is where we would source out sufficient funds for the said tests and treatments. Our savings are dwindling because our business is greatly affected by the pandemic. Similar to other businesses, we were forced to close our stores for about three months to comply with the community quarantine guidelines. The pandemic also restricts me to go out and apply for jobs. The same goes for millions of people not only in the Philippines but worldwide.

New Career Opportunities Arises

As I was contemplating about what can I do to help my husband, I read an online article about how businesses are now depending more on virtual technology to connect with their clients at staff during this pandemic. From there, I got the idea of applying it to our own business! Moreover, I learned that there is a growing demand for virtual assistants. With that, I don’t have to worry about going out and commute for work since my next pregnancy will be considered high-risk because of my health condition.

I am aware that being a virtual assistant is different from my former work experience as I was always on the field, diving and assessing the corals, sea grass and mangroves ecosystems of our country. However, I am confident that I can do the basic tasks of being a virtual assistant as I always do administrative tasks, in addition to my technical duties, whenever I’m in the office. But to equip myself more in this new profession, I enrolled myself in a freelancing course by FVA Consultancy. That course enhanced my skills on administrative management, social media management and marketing, SEO and more. It also gave me an in-depth understanding and appreciation about how this industry works. It helped really me a lot! I now possess the skills that can help boost our own business and also can extend my services to support other businesses.

To those who have experienced or are currently experiencing what I have been through, may it be in your chosen career or business, do not be afraid of big changes in your life and career. Take it as an opportunity to develop yourself, grow as a person and reach your goals. Believe me, you can do it as long as you have the HEART and DEDICATION for your work.

Now I am happily embarking on my new career path. I surely miss my previous career as it is very close to my heart, but it feels so exciting to explore this new profession that I chose. If you need help on your business, you can send me a message so we can discuss on how I can assist you.

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