My Job Transition: From Traditional Office Set-up to Work from Home

not just as a Solo Backpacker but as a Corporate Slave like most of the Filipino travelers (2006-Present)

I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electronics Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Manufacturing Engineering. I have been in the Aviation Industry for over fourteen years focusing my experience on Aircraft Maintenance and Production Planning. Throughout my career, I have been fully exposed to Airline (Part-M) and MRO (Part-145) engineering planning processes. Furthermore, I have handled complex maintenance checks and completed work packaging from light to heavy maintenance to achieve the targeted TAT and Return to Service milestone. 

After my Bachelor's degree graduation, I ventured into the BPO IT industry where I took the PRC board exam review simultaneously. I took the PRC Licensure Examination (Electronics Engineering, 1st take) in 2005 on a self-review basis while having my IT work on the graveyard shift. I review if I have a chance, i.e., in a jeepney while stuck in traffic and around 2 hours before going to sleep. Luckily I passed then resigned and jumped to leap of faith. 

My very first international flight and experience as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) lasted for 7 days due to homesickness (2005). I went home despite the debts my family had made just to complete this Taiwan journey. My work has 12 hours of duty a day with 1 day off only a week. Jobless for how many months with zero savings. I saw a Manila Bulletin ad for Engineering graduates to become trainees in the Aviation Industry. The training with a small allowance lasted around 7 months (graded modules). 

My 1st Job in Aviation: Avionics Mechanic to Planning Engineer (Philippines Corporate Set-up)

From 2006 to 2009 I was an Avionics Mechanic which is part of hangar production, directly working inside commercial aircraft. Just weeks after my local vacation, I bid for a Planning Engineer inside the company which is a typical office of engineering setup (assigned PC and desk). Handled PAL fleet base maintenance planning as an initial project for newcomers then Virgin Atlantic, Vladivostok Air, Strategic Air, etc. I took my Master's degree in Engineering while working as a Planning Engineer. My classes were on weekends and weeknights for three years as a resident university scholar in one of the most reputable and famous university in Philippines (all classes are on-site).

My 3rd Job in Aviation: Aircraft Parts Inventory Specialist (Work from Home Set-up)

My 3rd Job in Aviation: Aircraft Parts Inventory Specialist (Work from Home Set-up)

My 3rd Job in Aviation: Aircraft Parts Inventory Specialist (Work from Home Set-up)

My 2nd Job in Aviation: OFW Planning Engineer (Middle East GCC Corporate Set-up)

From 2012 to 2020 for 8 years,  I worked in Kingdom of Saudia Arabia, the State of Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates as an Aircraft Maintenance Planning Engineer. The work setup is the same as how I worked in the Philippines, a typical engineering office beside an aircraft hangar.

My 3rd Job in Aviation: Aircraft Parts Inventory Specialist (Work from Home Set-up)

Work from Home vs Work from Office posted from Linkedin

Working from home presents us with the opportunity to have a balanced work-life while still being successful professionally.  It is increasingly becoming the new normal and it brings with it many benefits.  It adds a level of convenience that’s not typically afforded by traditional work environments, enabling them to make more mindful and intentional use of their most valuable asset: time. This flexibility is vital for anyone hoping to break away from the normal grind and achieve something new and exciting. From an employee’s point of view, working from home offers efficiency and time savings without having to worry about commuting or traffic jams. From a health perspective, working from home eliminates long-distance commutes, avoiding the potential physical exhaustion caused by daily public transportation. Additionally, working from home also helps save money that would have otherwise been spent on transport costs or expensive coworking spaces. 

Working from home offers employees the ability to spend more time with family and friends in their free time away from work, allowing for social connections that would otherwise be difficult or even impossible if long commutes were necessary every day. This can make a big difference in their career trajectory and overall job satisfaction. It also creates more leisure time to maintain an active lifestyle and relax from a stressful day. Digital technologies make it easier for remote workers to keep up with in-person goals. 

WFH is not only an undeniable convenience, but it has become a lifesaver for many motivated individuals striving to reach their goals. 

MY CASE: Starting this 2023 after being in a traditional office for more than 14 years (both local and abroad), luckily I found a remote full-time work setup.

ADVANTAGES OF REMOTE WORK / WORK FROM HOME:

1. No daily/weekly meetings to forcibly please anyone

2. No hassle of commuting especially on rainy season and transport strike

3. Save a lot of time for preparation going to work and public transportation

4. No officemate around, no professional engagement trying to please everyone in the office

5. Relaxing ambiance, my entire work for 10 hours daily is just inside my room

6. Very minimum stress, only phone calls and emails (it's normal office ambiance actually)

7. Saves clothing, office attire and anything to wear on a daily basis. I wear my usual "pambahay" attire.

8. High salary somehow compared to local jobs if my work is onsite

9. Weekly salary, my first time (USD rate, paid via Payoneer)

Also... grabe ang convenience, mabait pa ang amo (Westerner). Walang pakikisamahan physically.

Nakapambahay lang na nagdu-duty. Walang time in/out card.

Email / whatsapp na usapan lang. Walang mata sa paligid.

5 days duty / 2 dys off. May overtime pay.

No requirements submitted (Diploma, police clearance, medical clearance, etc).

Salary received weekly and not delayed. 

DISADVANTAGES:

1. Night Shift due to Western time, 2000H to 0600H on a daily basis

2. No benefits, even medical.

3. Very fast Wi-Fi is a must (around 100 Mbps download speed minimum)

4. Must have a good laptop, with a fast processor and enough memory space

5. No holiday pay

My 2nd Job in Aviation: OFW Planning Engineer (Middle East GCC Corporate Set-up)

My 2nd Job in Aviation: OFW Planning Engineer (Middle East GCC Corporate Set-up)

My 2nd Job in Aviation: OFW Planning Engineer (Middle East GCC Corporate Set-up)

My 2nd Job in Aviation: OFW Planning Engineer (Middle East GCC Corporate Set-up)

My 1st Job in Aviation: Avionics Mechanic to Planning Engineer (Philippines Corporate Set-up)

My 1st Job in Aviation: Avionics Mechanic to Planning Engineer (Philippines Corporate Set-up)