Name: Rochele Bagasala Job title: Technical Support Associate / Marketing Assistant Has been in Akubo since: September 17, 2018 Education: BS in Information Technology, Marinduque State College 3 Word to describe yourself: Serious But Chill
Tell us about your career so far. What did you do before you came to Akubo?
My first job position was Computer lab facilitator at an eLearning company then after 6 months, I became part of the Software Development team at the same company. I worked as a content developer for 3 and a half years. My second job was in a BPO company. I worked there as a Data Analyst. I also trained to be a Quality Analyst for a few weeks but was given a chance to be one of the Reports Analyst.
What projects do you work on?
I’m currently managing the database of one of our clients. Mostly cleaning of data, laying out newsletters and e-cards, and sending e-blasts for them. I’m also handling account renewals of our clients and is part of the support team.
What originally drew you to apply in Akubo?
Before I joined Akubo, I was unemployed for more than a year. I was kind of worried to get back on the workforce since I’ve been idle for a long time. Luckily, my friends who were working in Akubo (shout out to Sandy and Ren!) contacted me and told me that they need someone for database management. Since it is somehow in line with my previous job as a Data Analyst, I didn’t hesitate and applied for the job. And so here I am!
How did you decide to become a Technical Support Associate and what do you like about it?
It’s not really the job title I was looking at but the job description. When I read the job description that Akubo is requiring a tech support associate and know that I can deliver, I then decided to give it a try.
What I like being a tech support is that I’m not bound in one specific task so it’s not boring but challenging at times. I get to talk to our clients which I don’t really do in my previous jobs. So there’s also growth in my part.
What’s the most rewarding part of being in Akubo?
For me, the rewarding part is being able to deliver what is required of me and getting recognition for it. That was what I used to look for in my previous job: recognition. A simple “good job” really does a lot for every employee because we can feel how we are valued by our employer. And I found it here in Akubo.
Tell us about a typical day at work
A typical day at work would be talking with my colleagues, the usual morning greetings. Then checking up slack, emails, and Viber messages from our client then do my usual daily tasks.
What do you look forward to learning?
Maybe learning a lot in customer relations. It’s one of my weaknesses. I have stage fright and not really that confident in talking to someone or a group of people on a professional level. So when you see me discussing anything in front of a crowd of 5 to 10 people it’s because I focused all my “chakras” in my feet to be able standstill. LOL!
What things are you excited about Support or life in general?
One thing I’m excited about support stuff is being able to cater to our clients’ need it’s like a refresher course for me as well. I get to familiarize myself with our system by having a better understanding of functions and features that I don’t usually use.
What do you find most challenging about your work? How do you deal with it?
What challenged me in my work was having to discuss summary reports to clients, explaining and presenting in front of board directors which I wasn’t used to. But like we all say, practice makes perfect. Though I’m far from perfect when it comes to dealing with clients I find it somehow manageable.
Who/What inspires you?
My family is my motivation. I always see to it that they come first before anything.
What are you passionate about outside of work?
Cooking and eating, of course! I also binge watch on American tv-series and a few k-dramas, a little mobile games and travel sometimes. When I say sometimes, it’s usually just 4 to 6 times a year, LOL!
Tell us about 3 Career lessons that you’ve learned so far
Discipline. Professionalism. Camaraderie
What does Akubo mean to you?
Akubo is like a second home for me. Aside from it literally is where I am most of the time, I DON’T consider it just an office or company that I have to drag my feet every morning and is eager to go home after 8hrs. It may have been like a routine but I don’t feel any pressure and I can say that I have a good life and work balance being with Akubo.
BONUS QUESTIONS!
Tell us what your ideal day looks like
My ideal day would be lying in a hammock reading a book with waves crashing nearby.
Comfort Food
Chicken and Pasta
If you could swap places with someone else for a day, who would it be?
Audrey Hepburn. Need I say more?