Elaine Mae Pacaña – General Virtual Assistant, Social Media Management

Hey there! I’m Elaine Mae Pacaña, wholeheartedly embracing the joys of motherhood with my spirited 3-year-old, while cherishing precious moments with my loving fiancé. Currently, I call Davao City, Philippines, home.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my rollercoaster of a career journey, it’s that life loves to throw surprises at you when you least expect it. But hey, that’s what keeps things interesting, right?

Let’s rewind to 2009 when I dipped my toes into the world of work as a commission-based telemarketer at PLDT, a local telecommunications company, while still a teenager. Those were the days of dialing numbers and perfecting my sales pitch under the scorching summer sun. Little did I know, it was just the beginning of my wild ride in the customer service realm.

Fast forward to 2013, I found myself diving headfirst into the bustling call center scene, juggling calls and orders like a pro at Cyber City Teleservices (now IQOR). It was a whirlwind of learning and multitasking, but I thrive on challenges. And being a working student? Well, let’s just say caffeine became my best friend.

But life had other plans, and in 2014, I decided to switch gears and became a technical support at VXI. Talk about an adrenaline rush! Upskilling on the fly while balancing work and study was a bit like juggling flaming torches — exhilarating, but definitely a bit risky.

Then came 2015, the year of tough decisions. As I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication, I found myself at a crossroads, torn between my passion for my field and the career path I had already begun. It was during this time that I made the leap to Teleperformance as a technical support representative, driven by the pursuit of growth and opportunities beyond my previous role.

In 2016, I began a fresh journey at Offsourcing Philippines, diving into fashion consultations. There, I became the trusted support for an athletic apparel brand, assisting customers from the US and UK. The following year, I smoothly transitioned to handling email correspondence for a makeup subscription project within the same company.

However, 2017 brought an unexpected hurdle as I faced a personal challenge with a miscarriage. It was a poignant reminder that sometimes, hitting pause and prioritizing self-care is paramount.

In 2018, to move on from the miscarriage, I left Davao with a heavy heart and traveled to Metro Manila to become part of a production design team. Finally, I had the chance to put my studies into practice! There, I served as a production assistant, purchaser, and graphic designer. Despite traveling to various places and meeting wonderful people in both showbiz and non-showbiz circles, my heart longed for something familiar—my first love, which is customer service. And amidst all the excitement, I couldn’t shake the feeling of missing home. For that reason, I found my way back to Davao City the same year, longing to return to my roots.

2019 marked my resurgence in the workforce, stepping into the role of a retention specialist at Flatworld Solutions. Just when I thought I had found my footing, fate threw me a curveball—I was laid off. But, you know what they say about silver linings? While I bid farewell to my desk, I welcomed the news of a new addition to the family. With a baby on the way, I decided to shift gears and prioritize my pregnancy journey, putting my career aspirations on hold for a while. Sometimes life has a funny way of guiding our paths, doesn’t it?

Cue the pandemic of 2020, where working from home became the new norm, and I found myself multitasking like never before — baby on one hip, troubleshooting tech issues on the other. I cherished my work at Transcom, but due to postpartum complications, I needed to take a step back and focus on resting.

2021 and 2022 were pivotal years as I fully embraced my role as a full-time mom and dove headfirst into the world of social media management. I immersed myself in learning the basics, attending numerous webinars and masterclasses, and dedicating myself to honing my skills. Yet, life has a knack for testing one’s resolve, and financial hurdles briefly threw me off my game for a bit.

In 2023, I found myself back in the groove, landing a role as a content moderator at Concentrix—one of the first to return to the office post-pandemic. The next year saw me making a transition to technical support representative, but my heart longed for the freedom of remote work, especially with a little one to care for at home.

Determined to find the perfect balance, I set out on a quest for remote opportunities. Soon enough, I found myself diving into an independent contractor project as a search engine evaluator. Though the project eventually reached its conclusion, it reignited my passion for social media management.

Eager to expand my horizons, I enrolled in a social media management class, earning my certificate and sharpening my skills along the way. With each new tool and technique learned, I felt myself inching closer to my career goals, armed with a renewed sense of purpose and drive.

My journey has been a wild ride of ups and downs, twists and turns. But through it all, I’ve learned the value of adaptability, resilience, determination, and a good sense of humor. It’s not just about overcoming obstacles; it’s about thriving in the face of adversity and emerging stronger on the other side. Let my journey inspire you to embrace change, chase your dreams, and never back down from a challenge.

For a copy of Elaine’s resume please click here.