James Mark Juguan – General Virtual Assistant

Hello, my name is James Mark Juguan. I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology from the University of Saint La Salle.

I started my first job as a customer service representative for 6 months. This job experience taught me the meaning of patience, to be empathetic even when someone is irate. Learn how to multitask and find a way to fix the problem quickly.

When my CSR contract ended, I switched roles and worked as a teller. Handling huge amounts of money and making sure every transaction is accurate with a sense of urgency.

Several months passed, and I could no longer feel that I’m enjoying the role of being a teller since I got only one day off per week that was not on the weekend. I was exhausted since I don’t have the free time to do all the things I love.

After I resigned, I started working as an online English teacher for Japanese students. Working from home was so much fun since I could save time and money from commuting. After working as an online English teacher for Japanese students, I decided to take things a little bit further. I went to Thailand before the second semester opens and applied to be a teacher. Teaching Thai students levelled up my patience even more. Pronunciation and vocabulary are the easy part, recalling what I taught them from yesterday’s lesson is the real challenge. I had to be strategic when teaching my lessons so they won’t forget them easily. Aside from all working, lectures, school activities, school events and field trips also made my teaching experience enriching. Most of all students sharing ideas, learning from me and me learning from them as well makes it so much more fulfilling.

Being a teacher in Thailand for two years was bliss, working on weekdays while travelling, relaxing, learning new cultures, interacting with a diverse group of people and unwinding with nature with friends on the weekend made me feel so alive and that experience was amazing and I treasure it so much!

Then the pandemic hit and unfortunately, my working visa was about to expire in a few months. That’s when I decided to go home. I was looking for a job when I saw a job post about a virtual assistant. With all the experience and skills that I have, I got the job. Two years later, I am happily working as a virtual assistant on-site while helping my client assist their business to scale.

Being a virtual assistant, made me work with a high level of accuracy, think critically, solve problems, communicate effectively and be resilient when there is a new set of task given while having the time to do all things that makes me happy.

During my free time I love to hit the gym or train in martial arts such as Muay Thai as my new favourite art, I usually do this after work. Other times or on the weekend, I read books, learn something new, watch movies, go hike, drive around, do yoga, write my ideas and thoughts or spend time with my family or catch up friends.

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