Who would do that?
I discovered virtual assistance while doing some career research late last summer. When I read the term and skimmed the article, the heavens opened up and a light shone down. OK, maybe it wasn’t THAT dramatic. But a light bulb certainly flicked on overhead, and I giddily thought “That’s it!”
I imagine this happens to most people when they reach a clearing in the career jungle. These are the people who work hard and, when prompted, dutifully download the skills needed for career upgrades. But, these folks also know – deep down – that what they’re doing day in and day out simply “isn’t quite it.” So, they always have one eye on the daily task list, and one eye secretly focused off to the side, keeping tabs on the exciting things might be catching up. Maybe it’s a hobby that’s turning into a passion, or excelling at a new skill or trade, or daydreaming about owning a small business one day.
Whatever it is, the hope is that their day job will merge with those off-to-the-side pursuits. That’s the moment they hit the clearing and, with any luck, say “That’s it!”
When I reached my clearing, I looked straight ahead, but decided the path just left of center was the one for me. I knew it was a risk (straight ahead is almost always the safest), but the entrance was well-lit and I had faith it was the right direction.
So, when I made the decision to channel my years of experience in media, publishing and communications into launching a Virtual Assistant practice, like any good Virgo, I dug into every piece of research and market study I could find. The more I read, the more confident I was that the path-just-left-of-center was exactly where I wanted to head.
I have quite a few manager/coordinator/editor titles on my resume, but never once did “executive assistant” make it on the list. Naturally, I wondered if there were others like me - people with experience, but never the official title. I was thrilled to find that the backgrounds and experiences of each VA were as different as the people themselves.
Some were MBA-wielding ex-executives. Others were 20-year veterans of the executive support field. A number of them were graphic designers, Web developers or other “techies” who, through the aforementioned career upgrades, also excelled in database management, writing and project management. Quite a few were military spouses with business training out the wazoo, but needed a portable career. And there were just as many who, like me, had a smorgasbord of skills and simply wanted nothing more than to offer their knowledge and expertise to others who would benefit from their experiences.
So, I’m proud to join the ranks of virtual assistants. If the increasing number of industry resources, associations and VA-focused tools are any indication, we’re on the cutting edge of business.
