Marianne Nicolas – Assistant Manager

Oh, hello! I’m Marianne. I graduated with a degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of the Philippines Los Baños. I’ve been in the Supply Chain-Procurement industry for about 12 years now.

The pandemic changed everything for me. Back in 2020, everyone was forced to work remotely due to the lockdown. Never in a million years did I imagine it was possible to work from the comfort of my home. As an introvert who enjoys making her own coffee and breakfast in the morning, reading, and watching shows and movies, I felt very privileged. Not only that, but I was also able to try new things like cooking! It was also the healthiest I had ever been because I managed to squeeze in workouts either during my lunch break or as soon as I logged off from work. The setup felt like it was meant for me—I felt refreshed, productive, and fulfilled. Best of all, I didn’t have to endure the difficult commute or waste so much time in traffic.

After a couple of years, when restrictions were lifted, companies started requiring employees to return to the office. My health was affected, and I wanted to go back to working remotely. There were several instances when I considered changing careers entirely. After resigning from my last job in 2024, I thought, This is finally it. Now or never. I knew I had to take this career change seriously if I truly wanted it for my career and life in general.

Now, I’m slowly building my own portfolio. I’m still a beginner in this industry, and there’s a lot more to learn. I have always been drawn to creative work—I enjoy creating digital art using my iPad, writing on my blog, taking photos and videos, and posting travel videos on YouTube. These skill sets used to be just hobbies for me, but I realised I could use them to my advantage. On top of that, my 12+ years of experience in purchasing have helped me develop strong work ethics along with other valuable skills. I am adaptable and a team player. I listen to others’ suggestions while also implementing my own ideas when they can make work more efficient.

A good attitude is perhaps the most important quality in any job, whether as a virtual assistant or in any other position. You have to be reliable and resourceful—someone your boss and teammates can trust.

Work-life balance is a crucial factor for me. I know I can do my best when I’m healthy and happy. I hope to continue working for a company that values an individual’s well-being.

For a copy of Marianne’s resume, please click here.