Jonah Jean Callao – Administrative Assistant, Social Media Management

Hi, I am Jonah Jean Callao, you can call me Jon. I graduated with a degree in Environmental Science at Mindanao State University-Main Campus in June 2016 and finished my master’s degree in the same course under the DOST ASTHRDP program, one of the prestigious government scholarships in the Philippines.

I started my career as a teacher, educating my students on a range of scientific subjects like research. To engage my students, I used a range of teaching strategies and using tools to monitor student engagement. I alternated between informal and formal teaching strategies to build a multi-layered web of learning, combining projects, and practical exercises into each lesson. Having taught high school students for nearly two years, I was given an opportunity to work as an Environmental Monitoring Officer at the Department of Public Works and Highways where I worked collaboratively with the project contractors on the application of laws, and corporate policies and controls to mitigate environmental risk. I also verified information on permits and contracts for projects to assess compliance with legal requirements and completed paperwork, recognizing discrepancies, and promptly addressing them for resolution.

The opportunity to work as a college lecturer teaching business and environment then presented itself, and it was at this time—during the height of the pandemic—that I was exposed to an online learning environment. This allows me to develop my skills in online-related tools.

I guess you could say I’m a teacher turned virtual assistant. This transition allowed me to explore a different world, while the shift was unexpected and abrupt, it was an opportunity to enhance my skills and take on a new challenge. This decision has been met with much excitement and enthusiasm, as I am now able to utilize the skills I have acquired in the classroom and apply them to the digital space.

I have years of experience managing projects and teaching, making me a great multitasker. I also have excellent communication and customer service skills, both of which I understand will be essential in this new position.

I’m a tech-enthusiast person, so I’m not intimidated by the world of virtual assisting. I’m very comfortable using computers, programs, and other software systems. I’m also eager to learn more and continue to grow my skills in this field.

I’m confident that my teaching background and my technical skills will serve me well as a virtual assistant. I’m looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity to help others in this new role.

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