Michelle Dequito – Customer Service Associate

Hi, my name is Michelle Dequito, just call me Mitch for short. I’m currently 25 years old and living in Taguig City, Philippines. I was previously an employee at Accenture, during my employment with them I was hired for 3 different projects.

I graduated with an associate degree from St. Chamuel College, specialising in Computer Secretary and Office Management, with a major in Bookkeeping. Completing this program provided me with valuable skills in office administration, bookkeeping, and computer applications. However, after graduating, I faced significant challenges in finding a job that matched my qualifications and aspirations. Many of the positions I was interested in required additional experience or higher educational qualifications, which made the job search process tough. Despite these obstacles, I was determined not to let my situation discourage me.

During this period, I accepted any work I could find to support myself, even if it wasn’t directly related to my field of study. I worked as a part-time cashier in a department store, where I learned the importance of customer service, accuracy in handling cash, and managing daily transactions. I also took on babysitting jobs, which taught me patience, adaptability, and responsibility. To earn some extra income, I helped neighbors with their school assignments and projects something I enjoyed doing as it allowed me to use my skills and knowledge in a meaningful way.

In addition to these roles, I also worked as a kitchen staff member, preparing milk tea, Takoyaki, and sushi. This job was both challenging and rewarding, as I learned how to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and collaborate effectively with my team. I briefly worked as an office staff member as well, which helped me apply my training in office management, further enhancing my administrative skills. These diverse experiences, though not directly related to my career goals, taught me the value of hard work, adaptability, and perseverance. They helped me develop a strong work ethic and a mindset focused on continuous learning.

Before joining Accenture, I worked as a parking attendant in BGC, Taguig, for two years. My main responsibility was handling cashier duties at the parking booth, which involved managing payments, assisting customers, and ensuring smooth transactions. This role required me to be attentive, efficient, and reliable, as I dealt with both cash and customer inquiries. It wasn’t always easy, especially during peak hours, but it helped me improve my customer service skills and taught me the importance of staying calm under pressure.

When the pandemic hit, everything changed. The lockdowns caused significant disruptions, and our office could no longer provide regular schedules due to the restrictions. It was a challenging time, as I needed to make a tough decision either wait indefinitely for the situation to stabilise or take a risk and resign to look for a new job in an industry that was still operating. I chose the latter, knowing it wouldn’t be easy but also believing in the importance of taking charge of my future.

I decided to apply to several BPO companies, as the industry was still hiring during the pandemic. Initially, I experienced many setbacks; it was my first time applying for roles in this industry, and I faced numerous rejections. However, I refused to give up. I studied how to prepare for interviews, practised common interview questions, and researched the skills and qualifications needed for BPO positions. After several attempts and learning from my previous interviews, I finally received a job offer. I was thrilled and eagerly accepted it, not realising at the time that I had been hired by Accenture, one of the top companies in the country.

The moment I realised what I had achieved, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude. It was a significant milestone for me not only because it was my first BPO job but also because I had secured a position in a prestigious company despite all the challenges I had faced along the way. Working at Accenture was an incredible opportunity, and it marked the beginning of a new chapter in my professional journey. It gave me confidence in my abilities and reaffirmed my belief that perseverance and hard work truly pay off, no matter how difficult the circumstances may be.

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