Tim Joshua Cruz – General Virtual Assistant, Civil Engineer

Mabuhay!

I am Tim Joshua Cruz, a 23-year-old bachelor from the municipality of Calumpit, Bulacan. People would often call me Tim, but because I want to build something new for myself, you may call me TJ. I recently graduated from the University of the Philippines – Diliman with a degree in Civil Engineering, specialising in Geotechnical Engineering. As of writing, I am anticipated to graduate Summa Cum Laude and one of the top students in the College of Engineering. A few years back, I would never have imagined achieving such a feat, as graduating from this college and university is already considered an accomplishment. But I guess being stubborn and persistent can push you to reach for the stars, even those we never once thought we could see.

My specialization allowed me to learn various software and understand Civil Engineering in a different light. Commonly, people assume that Civil Engineering is mostly concerned with buildings and construction. But, in my case, it is more about studying the soil and its capacity to support and carry structures. In my undergraduate thesis, I investigated deep soil-mixed ground improvement structures, numerically analysing the geometric features of the structure and their potential to support superstructures against short-term and long-term settlements. For my capstone project in partnership with the LGU of Surallah, Cotabato, I led a team of five in designing a slope protective measure, particularly a multi-tiered retaining wall, to remediate the already-present tension cracks within the area and prevent future landslides. During these projects, I have learned and used the following software:

• Rocscience RS3 (3D Finite Element Analysis Tool)
• Rocscience Slide3 (Slope Stability Analysis Tool)
• Autodesk Civil 3D (for creating ground surface post-processed from elevation points)
• GPS Visualizer
• Google Sheets and Excel

Apart from being an engineering nerd, I am also fond of building new skills and diversifying my capabilities. I was once a project management intern at Manila Water Company, Inc., where I experienced first-hand the management of construction sites, quantity estimation and surveying of materials, and the day-to-day decision-making involved in assuring the quality and pacing of the work. Although this internship is not directly related to my expertise, I am aware I needed this type of training to strengthen further my knowledge, management, and decision-making; hence, the decision to push through with it. From there, I learned to interact with different kinds of people, experience the daily pressure of managerial tasks in engineering, and lead myself to take initiatives beyond what is expected of me.

I also built my experience during my term as an Executive Director in the UP Aggregates, Inc., one of my college’s leading organisations. During my year as a director, I have learned to become a team player and independent. I, along with my team members, developed a work culture in our committee that would foster respect, integrity, and progression. I was able to craft and execute projects that would serve my organisation and the college, make crucial decisions for my constituents, and balance the importance of growth and well-being. I also learned other skills, such as graphic design and layout, strategic marketing, coaching, SOP creation, event organisation, and scheduling, among others. This opportunity equipped me with valuable skills that made me more versatile and flexible.

But, after all the hard work I put into finishing my degree and grabbing all these opportunities, why dive into virtual assistantship? Over the years of intense work, I realised my priorities in life: to have more time for myself and my family, to preserve myself, to constantly explore and be open to other opportunities, and to be self-sufficient. And currently, I see this virtual assistantship (or online career, for that matter) as a great opportunity to achieve these goals. As I prepare for my board examinations this November, I also aim to expand my skillset, build connections, and take responsibility. I want to earn but also build a career for myself, and I want to take a chance to do it virtually, in the comfort of my home and family. Who knows? Maybe this step forward can be a permanent road in my journey.

Nevertheless, I will be honest that these priorities may still change as I tread forward. And while there are presented uncertainties in this decision to venture into this set-up, I am willing to face it and determine what is ahead of me. After all, we can only know what is in store for us once we take a chance.

I hope to discover and learn things with you. Maraming Salamat po!

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