Rugine Cheena Galo, 27, was initially like a lot of graduates who felt that they were in jobs that were not right for them. After working for some time, she found what she knows is “The One”–an online job, found through Connected Women. “I’m happy to be matched with work related to Finance,” she says of her current job.

Hailing From Mindanao

Rugine graduated from UP Mindanao with a degree in BS Applied Mathematics “My mom is a teacher. My brother, a member of the Philippine Military Academy and a pilot in the Air Force. My sister is studying to be a doctor.”

She worked for five years after graduation in some online jobs and projects before she met Connected Women’s Founder Gina in February 2017. “I met her on a site where she was looking for people to introduce to her clients in SG,” recalls Rugine. She was then matched to a Singaporean company by Gina.

Working For Finance In Film

“I’m currently working as Executive Assistant and Finance Officer for The Projector, a film events company in Singapore,” she explains.  Rugine says that she doesn’t work eight hours a day but is paid for eight hours availability so she can be called anytime during that time slot.

“Daily I do the company’s box office reports for Sony, Walt Disney, Film Bank Media, United International Pictures, Shaw, Golden Village, Warner Brothers, and other film distributors whose films we are screening in the evening,” she explains. Rugine adds that she also prepares weekly films performance reports for their CEO. The weekly film performance reports for film distributors are also her obligation. “I prepare analyses for our film rentals versus our film margins and see if we are staying on our expected margin,” she explains. “I get busier as the end of the month approaches because I help manage accounting activities such as bank reconciliations, accounts payable and accounts receivable. I make sure our bills are matched to our expected bills and make accruals analyses. I think that covers half of what I do.”

The Perks Of Remote Working

“When I graduated from college, I already had several years of working experience so I wanted to continue what has sustained my needs over the years,” Rugine explains. “And that is working remotely. The pay is a whole lot better than jobs in the Philippines. Remote work is a hidden treasure only a few realized.” Rugine says it wasn’t hard to find a job after graduation but Connected Women led her to a job that she says was the right fit. The job she found after graduation wasn’t exactly related to her course. “I think the best thing with Connected Women is that they helped me find a company related to my field so it was a great match,” she says.

“It’s enough to consider traveling overseas… perhaps that can be a descriptive as to my salary,” Rugine says of her pay.

She admits she was considering leaving the country before to work abroad. “I am still considering leaving the country, but for work holiday purposes. It’s no longer about fighting poverty or anything like that. Just about wanting to explore the world and enjoy my youth.”

Rugine loves the remote work she found through Connected Women. “I love the nature of a remote job,” she says. “It gives me the opportunity to be flexible with time. You get to be more available to spend quality time with family and travel is made more possible with remote work. With an internet connection and your laptop, you can work anywhere, on an island or a mountain, in the Philippines or overseas.”

“The disadvantage is the part where you don’t get to meet people from work. That’s the only downside in my case. Everything else about working remotely is absolutely amazing.”

How Connected Women Changed Her Life

Through her remote work, Rugine has been able to sponsor her sister’s studies. “I have been sponsoring my sister’s studying at Dr. Jose Rizal School of Medicine, Xavier University for four years already, through my online work,” she narrates. “She will soon graduate next month. So I definitely can recommend this line of job. It’s not for everybody, I reckon, but it’s for everybody who has a good education, and still willing to learn. Knowledge is a proper start. But willingness is the key to making it farther.”

For Rugine, Connected Women redirected her to the world of finance. “Connected Women redirected my work to finance. For me, that’s a big deal. I used to be in marketing now I’m in finance. I’m forever grateful for that. With Connected Women, you can be connected to a company that caters to your salary demand. That’s how it was for me. Gina introduced me a company that met my salary expectations.”

“Working remotely has a way of connecting you to world-renowned people who need smart people to assist them. I’m glad I stumbled into this 21st-century trend.”

Expanding Horizons

Rugine plans on visiting New Zealand and London in the next three years. “I want to use my PhilSAT certificate of eligibility in the next years,” she says. She also wants to find love. “And find Mr. Right this year or when he wants to be found,” she says cheekily.

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