Isabela Therese Erquiza – Virtual Researcher, Administrative Assistant

Hi, I’m Isabela Therese Erquiza, an undergraduate student from the University of the Philippines. You can call me Iris. When I’m not buried in work, you can usually find me juggling my million hobbies or scouting for volunteer opportunities.

My journey into the workforce began a few years ago when I took on my very first job as a tutor for grade school and high school students. I decided to become a working student to support my needs and fortunately landed a position at a tutorial center near my university. After my contract ended, a family hired me to be their children’s personal tutor, but that did not last long due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Faced with the risk of going outside, I searched for available online jobs and became a transcriber. While it was freelance work, it afforded me the flexibility to balance my student responsibilities with other pursuits.

As pandemic restrictions eased, I transitioned to an onsite role as a studio secretary at a tattoo shop. My tasks were simple: inbox management, calendar scheduling, client outreach, supply inventory, studio maintenance, and database organization, but I found myself grappling with the stress of commuting and onsite work. This made me realize how I liked working at home and having control of my own time. Being a studio secretary allowed me to have the basic knowledge in administrative tasks, and since I was determined to look for a more flexible job, the situation led me to research about being a virtual assistant.

I had the opportunity of working for a US-based startup company as a Virtual Researcher where I focused on lead generation and research. Venturing into the virtual assistance industry has not been easy for me given how oversaturated this line of work has become over the years. But in the short span that I’ve been in this industry, I was able to learn and achieve more than what I thought I was capable of. I was exposed to different settings and went above and beyond for my company, my clients, and most importantly, myself. I was able to reinvent myself every step of the way. And that is one of the best things that I have grown to love while in this industry.

Beyond my professional endeavors, I see myself as a person who is passionate about helping people. Throughout my college years, I actively participated in an organization within our university, spearheading outreach programs and donation drives for children in need. Through these experiences, I had experienced being a team player who can follow instructions and coordinate with other members, and I had also become a leader who initiates, delegates tasks, and makes important decisions. Given that, I am eager to extend my passion and commitment to helping others as a dependable virtual assistant.

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