Jana Zarene Pascual is a 36-year-old Executive Secretary to the Chairman and Board of Directors of Al Rabban Holding Group, one of the leading conglomerates in Qatar. She has been living and working in Qatar for 12 years now and has excelled in her job, earning the trust and confidence of her bosses.
Jana’s job as an executive secretary requires her to manage the day-to-day agendas of her bosses, including scheduling meetings, preparing minutes of meetings, organizing travel documents, and handling their house employees. She also assists other departments and private businesses of her bosses, such as composing letters, preparing presentations, filing, and encoding.
Jana’s journey as an OFW began when she graduated with a Hotel and Restaurant Management degree. She worked in some of the best hotels in the Philippines, where she excelled in her customer and marketing skills. Jana’s father was also an OFW in Saudi Arabia, and she saw first-hand the sacrifices her father had to make to provide for their family.
Her dream of becoming an international worker did not happen immediately after graduation, but after she met her husband and agreed to move to Doha, Qatar, she grabbed the opportunity to work there. Jana’s passion for her job and her willingness to trust the process has led her to excel in her work and earn the trust of her bosses.
Jana enjoys her job, not just because of the high salary, but also because of the professional and supportive bosses she has. She finds it satisfying that her bosses rely on her and trust her to make business decisions. Her colleagues are also helpful and accommodating, making it easier for her to manage her work and contribute to the team’s success.
“I really enjoy working in hotels as I see and encounter different nationalities, characters and personalities from co-employee to customers. I can say that I excelled in my customer and marketing skills as I tend to talk and accommodate customers’ needs as well as their complaints. It totally boosts my confidence as I need to think and solve problems on my own in a positive way,” she said.
“I think the most enjoyable part of my work is that my bosses are relying on me and the trust that they’ve given the fact that they are allowing me to decide with regard to business solution,” she added.
“Also, my colleagues are very accommodating and helpful to other officemates in order to have great team management and a peaceful environment. Of course, the fair treatment of the company to the employees that I feel more satisfied and motivated to work hard.”
In addition, Jana’s stay in Doha for almost a decade is not just because of the high income, but also because of the sustainable lifestyle she and her family enjoy. Qatar is one of the safest countries in the world, and they have the opportunity to explore different restaurants and places. Her two sons are also schooling in Doha, making it more convenient for the family to stay.
Jana admits that there were struggles she had to endure before settling in Qatar, such as familiarizing herself with her surroundings, coping with the traditional way of living, and adjusting to the weather. However, her determination to succeed and her willingness to trust the process has helped her overcome these challenges.
As for her plans after Doha, Jana admits that she is content with her job and her life in Qatar. However, she also acknowledges that being an OFW is not a lifetime guarantee, and she may have to go back to the Philippines someday. For now, she is focused on her job and providing for her family.
Jana’s story is a testament to the sacrifices and determination of OFWs. Her willingness to trust the process and her passion for her job has led her to excel in her career and provide for her family. Her story is an inspiration to other OFWs who are also working hard to provide for their loved ones back home.