All of the jobs I’ve held since graduating from college required me to be in the office full-time. Back then, it never occurred to me that I could work at home, just as I do now. Had this kind of opportunity presented itself to me many moons ago, I might have avoided a lot of frustration in the workplace. I thought I’d be working at a television or radio network putting my Communications degree to use – maybe covering the news, writing in a magazine or producing celebrity shows. I quickly discovered that these options were not for me, a classic example of expectation versus reality. Today I’m going to share some of my work experiences and what led me to become a full time remote employee. This one’s a long post but if you have nothing to do, just humor me and read on.
The Underpaid Production Assistant
I had a very short stint working as a production assistant for a media outfit. There were days when I didn’t go home unless we finished editing videos. This job didn’t care if you worked on the weekends. So I sat at the editing table on Sunday mornings, weighed down by the thought that I missed church service. It was a stressful, low-paying job with no health insurance. I took it because I was a starving fresh graduate who needed to help my family. Also – I needed to put something on my resume to apply somewhere else once this gig was over. And it was over too soon because the director yelled at me for reasons I no longer remember. This is the dark side of media production: if the director or show producer has a superior attitude, you either swallow the cruelty and keep working or leave with your self-respect intact and look for another job. I walked out of there and never went back.
I’m Not Good at Selling
I left the world of media and struggled to look for my next role. Thankfully, one of my good friends from university told me there was an opening for a sales role in their company. I applied without having any sales experience! I got the job but it was a tough gig especially for someone like me who’s just not cut out for selling anything. I never hit the monthly quotas, and the people in the company were difficult to deal with. Office politics ran rampant in our tiny department, and on top of that, the pay was low. I couldn’t see a future for myself there, so I resigned—along with the other sales reps who felt the same way.
Corporate Life and Early Call Time
Months after resigning from my sales job, I figured I could try for the administrative assistant role that also required a little bit of providing customer service on the side. My weekdays looked like this: wake up at 4:30 am. Leave the house at 5:15 am. Arrive in the office at 6:30 am (I had an early shift). Go home at 5:00 pm. Sleep by 9:30 or 10:00 pm. This is the schedule of a morning person – which I am absolutely not. The only things that made me enjoy (and endure) this early shift were the quietness of the empty office, fast wifi connection and the chance to hop on a video call with my then-fiance (now-husband) during our long distance relationship. I couldn’t afford a laptop and internet at home so I stayed in the office to talk to him. Part of my job was to answer phone calls and respond to client chat messages. Once the last financial analyst left for the day, it was my turn to make sure all customers were attended to. I had no problem with the tasks (there weren’t many calls and messages to manage) except for where I was seated. My desk was at the reception which meant I was the first person everyone saw and chatted with when they walked in. I didn’t love it but I stuck it out because I’m an adult with bills to pay and dreams to build.
Starting Over In California
I moved to California in 2011 and had to start my career all over again. I thought it would be easy to get back to being a corporate girlie, but I was wrong. Before I landed my first real job here, I hustled through a few temp and odd jobs. I once had a temp assignment to work as Office Associate in a small manufacturing company. Want to know what I did there? I sorted hundreds of invoices and receipts from previous years and made sure they ended up in their respective folders. To make the task slightly less soul-crushing, they provided lunch—a chicken sandwich so tough it felt like it had cement for toppings. At the end of the day, my fingers hurt from paper cuts that washing my hands felt like torture.
And shocker of all shockers, I worked as a tour guide for event attendees at the Marriott hotel downtown. I signed a 2-day contract for this temp role which meant wearing my best blazer and a pair of painful heels—twice. If you know me, I’d be the last person to volunteer for a people-facing kind of job and if I ever do it again for the sake of saving my soul, at least let me wear sneakers!
Becoming an EA
It took years before I finally stepped into an Executive Assistant (EA) role. I had always avoided it out of fear of working closely with C-suite executives. I don’t know why but this role felt too serious and high pressure. But one exceptional manager changed my mind and gave me the chance to work with him and his team. He was kind, generous, and well-respected, and he didn’t mind that I worked at home when he was on a business trip—a definite plus! I believe this was when I began to wonder if working at home could be an option for me.
However, it was a contract role, and when they offered to convert me to a full-time permanent employee, I declined. I wouldn’t be working for the same manager, the pay was low, and the office culture was so toxic. On my last day, my manager gave me a gift and even cash (!), saying he rewards people like me who are assertive, know what they want, and can recognize when it’s time to move on. A month later, he texted me to say he was leaving the company.
My next job was also a contract role, this time supporting the CFO. After a few months, I was converted to full-time employment with decent pay. I tried my best to adjust to the company’s culture and management style, but I couldn’t betray who I am just to fit in.
First, I was told to “perform better, show up more and put more effort into team-building activities.” I’m an introvert—comments like that don’t sit well with me. If my personality is a problem for you, I’m not going to apologize for it. Second, the Finance Director questioned why I worked from home when the CFO was traveling. The other EAs did it, so why couldn’t I? Third, I was bullied during a team meeting. I asked a question about an upcoming event, and a woman from the Accounting department responded with sarcasm and disrespect to shut me down. It wasn’t the first time she did that. I filed a report with HR, and she was called in for questioning.
That same day, I was trying to schedule a golf tournament for the CFO, but I couldn’t secure the time slot he preferred. When I told him about the alternatives, he shouted at me like I was a useless child—everyone heard it, and all I wanted was to be eaten by the ground. I’ve had enough so I packed my things, called my husband to pick me up, and quit on the spot. The next day, I got an email from the CFO asking if we could talk. Oh, so now he wanted to talk, not shout, huh!? I gave him silence. I won’t tell you the name of this company (though I’d love to!) but it’s a famous brand and you most likely have one of their products in your house…or in your hands.
The Road To Remote Work Is Not A Straight One
I went to New York three weeks after that sudden resignation. It was a birthday trip and time away from job hunting. While there, I prayed for a better job and hoped that God might grant it as a birthday gift. I kept applying everyday until I saw a job ad for a remote Executive Assistant. I applied but never heard back from them. This sparked my curiosity even more about working at home. I started dreaming of having my home office. Mind you, I wasn’t hired yet but I asked my husband to buy me an office desk and a new laptop. He also made sure we got the fastest wifi connection at home in case this dream job of mine ever became a reality.
My birthday prayer was granted that October! After a few rounds of interviews, I got the job as the Executive Assistant to senior level sales executives in a tech company. The hiring manager told me I only needed to come into the office twice a week—on the days she happened to drive to the office. Although it was a hybrid role, this arrangement was close to a remote position. I worked at home three times a week, saved on gas and lunch money and most of all, had fewer interruptions from people who liked to chat. I have very little tolerance for that kind of interaction. It slows me down and makes me lose track of my thoughts.
When the pandemic hit in 2020, everyone suddenly worked remotely full-time. While that year was incredibly challenging for many, I was quietly thriving at home—social distancing, avoiding face-to-face interactions, and reveling in the peace. For the first time, the world finally did things my way. I know it might sound a little bad, and I don’t mean to downplay anyone else’s struggles, but I was happy in 2020. That year gave me the kind of quiet and distance I’d always craved. I even held out hope for the possibility that my job might go fully remote.
Alas, it didn’t happen. In late 2023, we were asked to return to the office. My dream of going fully remote was dashed when the CEO’s old-school mindset required employees to be in the office 3–4 times a week. I thought, “Nope, I ain’t doing none of that.” I lived sixty miles from the headquarters and there was no way I’d be sitting in traffic for 2 hours to get home. By that point, I was no longer under the manager who had given me my beloved twice-a-week freedom, so I quietly rebelled—showing up only when my current executive was in town. I occasionally heard whispers around the office that people like me might get in trouble. Meanwhile, management had signed a shiny new lease for a building full of empty desks. And because employees didn’t want to lose their jobs, they returned to the office and worked like COVID didn’t happen. As for me, I wasn’t even assigned a desk when they moved to the new building. So I continued my low-key resistance working from home. I thoroughly enjoyed the tiny corner in our bedroom where I do my best work and asked God many times, “Will my dream of working at home full time ever come true?”
Remote At Last
Guess what happened? I lost that job last year during a silent layoff but found a new one where I’m a full time remote employee!!! Oh my goodness, yes please underline “remote” with me, because this kind of job is life-changing for an introvert! It’s like being handed the work setup I was always meant to have. I work closely with C-suite executives—these people make high-stakes decisions that shape the company every single day. I’m living the dream. I have my own home office, equipped with the latest tech stuff courtesy of the company. No more long drives or rush-hour traffic. Work is what I do, not a place I go to. I’m so grateful for this opportunity that sometimes I have to pinch myself just to make sure it’s real.
Final Thoughts
So, that’s my journey from yelling directors to dreamy home offices. Moral of the story? Find a job that respects who you are, your peace, and your sanity. You don’t have to stay in a place where your values and dignity are on the line. If you’re looking for a job these days, I hope you don’t just submit resumes but also send your prayer requests to the Lord for help and guidance. I share these experiences not just as an introvert navigating the workplace but as a human being who has seen the many faces of people at work and the power of praying.
Have you ever faced a job that tested your patience, your personality, or your values? Share your story in the comments—I’d love to hear them.
And if you ever need a quiet space to relate, you know where to find me. Toodles!
