Leanne Mikhaela Alilin – General Virtual Assistant

Hi, I’m Leanne Mikhaela Alilin or you can call me Leanne for short. I am a college student majoring in Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines. Getting here is challenging but giving up is not something I would consider. As Filipinos say, “Malayo pa, pero malayo na,” which means there’s still a long way to go but you’ve already come a long way.

Ever since I was a child, almost everything was dictated to me, even down to what clothes I had to wear! I understand that my parents were trying to protect me from getting hurt or making bad decisions, but that left me with very little room to explore. I felt like I wasn’t able to get to know myself very well back then. When I reached high school, I joined clubs and organisations to try socialising with the other members, but I still get very shy sometimes when interacting but I had it in me to toughen up myself. Although, I’d still find myself in the comfort of my friends seldomly.

I also joined the Rover Scout Organisation, which my friends also joined, so that boosted my confidence. It felt good and fulfilling to be of service to my schoolmates and to the school. I was also able to participate in a two-month study tour in China in my last year of junior high school. I was able to meet different people; especially interacting with the locals, making friends, experiencing their way of living, and exploring the nearby places together with my friends, I was even able to practice my Chinese speaking skills.

During college, I was forced to interact with different people as my high school friends and I took different programs and went to different schools. I was scared to leave my comfort zone and that I might not be able to make friends or make meaningful connections with other people in a completely new environment but I was very wrong. It’s a good thing I didn’t let my fear get ahead of me because able to meet different people from different walks of life with very interesting perceptions of things, and it made me very happy that I was also able to widen how I perceive life. College helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect, it feels like I’m on a roller coaster. It made me more confident but humbled me at the same time.

Through these experiences, I was able to slowly build up my confidence, be brave when placed in a new environment, and discover something in me that I didn’t know of. I realized that no matter where I go, or what I do, there will come a time wherein I’ll find myself in an uncomfortable situation and it’s normal to feel that way at times, it’s not the end of the world! What’s unacceptable is that if you let these undesirable situations or feelings hinder you from grabbing an opportunity or experience.

Now, I am once again attempting to step out of my comfort zone. I want to explore beyond my field and test my capability and I think that through Virtual Assistant Team, I will be able to expand my horizon and at the same time, be of service to your company and to other people.

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