VA “Donnie”
Hello Donnie! Tell us a little about yourself first.
Hello, my name is Donnie Alagao, I am 30 and I work currently as the operations manager of IVA PRO. I love to ride my motorcycle and have also joined the band life with my friends doing cover songs. We do jamming sessions at least once a week, unless we are busy since all of us have work and quite busy with life. I am still learning to be a better singer and playing the guitar. In the past few months I also started working out and working more on myself to be better to have more people in my life.
What was your profession before you became a VA?
I received my undergraduate degree in information technology in 2014, but I was already working as an IT intern in the BPO industry. In 2015, I applied for employment as a support specialist right after graduation. During my time in the BPO industry, I also worked as an event coordinator, officiating team building exercises, and began to develop people skills. This is where I met Sir Darwin, the CEO of IVA PRO. I trained and worked alongside him, learning a great deal. The environment was familiar and lasted until 2018, when they closed down and declared bankruptcy. We were laid off and transferred to their sister company. There were complications with our job positions, and we were instructed to start working from home in January 2018. This lasted two years, then we were abandoned in 2020. This was during the pandemic, and they told us to keep working and they would pay us. We continued to work and follow up, but they eventually stopped responding and disappeared owing us six months' salary.
This encouraged me to reapply to another BPO company. This is where my downward spiral began. It was on-site, so I'm back to traveling and working with a team. Six months into the job, my enthusiasm for IT diminished and working in the IT field was no longer enjoyable. There were system issues that were not addressed, which made it difficult for me to do my job correctly. I started developing depression and that translated to vices such as smoking. The environment was toxic, and I was even gaslighted by my own manager. Sir Darwin also applied, but says the position was not sufficiently challenging for him, so he left.
How is your IVA PRO Experience?
IVA was like a breath of fresh air. This started even on the first day I was supposed to start, I got Covid and was not able to start and they agreed that we move my start date and can do part time at 4 hours a day. It was a start, this helped me survive. IVAPRO saved me from spiraling out of control during the pandemic. I eventually was made to work full time and purchased my beloved motorcycle. My life became easier and my healing journey started. I love how the management of IVA was able to understand where I came from and let me learn more about different aspects of the business turning me into an all rounder specialist. This extended my job to payroll, human resources, recruitment and screening as well as occasionally IT. They helped open new doors for me to apply different things I have learned in different fields.
IVA PRO protects people, because your success is our success.
Share with us some of your achievements.
I believe the biggest achievement for me is my personal growth as an individual and perspective towards work and life.
Here are a few highlights:
Different perspective on life and living life
Overall knowledge in different fields
Learn more about dealing with people
Higher tolerance to bad vices and practices
Financial independence
Able to purchase my beloved motorcycle
Better financial awareness and practices
Any message to future aspiring VA’s?
Don't be afraid or intimidated by what others say about the industry. If you are currently unable to meet the requirements, work to improve. Apply on a regular basis, and be motivated and prepared to seek this role. This demonstrates your character and development in terms of your desire for the job. You may always ask folks, especially at IVA, how you can improve. Clients will also consider your eagerness and attitude; keep in mind that this profession is continuously changing and demanding, therefore your view of the job is important. Do not give up hope; you will eventually find the appropriate one for you.
