Woman’s edge

The female advantage at work

By Karen Balce, Program Operations Manager

I remember working for a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company and telling myself, “I thought this is my dream job, but it’s not, and I’m glad I figured it out while I’m still young.” I looked back and checked what I enjoyed the most during my brand marketing role, and I realized it was doing events.  And like it was meant to be, a good friend of mine told me about TeamAsia and told me I should apply. After almost three years, I’m still here doing events for the company.

I started like how most people in the team began: doing smaller roles, assisting project managers, learning the tricks, and familiarizing myself with the job and the scope of work. It was all somehow new to me but I agree it was a learning process. I remember my first project was not the grandest event, but the fulfillment of finishing an event, regardless of its size, is the same to me.

In my opinion, most of my events were fairly challenging. They were all unique, and they each had their own challenges I had to conquer. My favorite projects were the toughest ones because they pushed my capabilities, my limits, and my skills. I believe that’s how I progressed and grew in this industry.

In events, there are certain skill sets that make being a woman an advantage. Traits such as patience, creativity, being a perfectionist, being attentive to details, and being able to handle emotional stress are usually associated with women and have helped me in my projects. But the women in our department need to be ready to get the job done by all means, even if it means carrying heavy items, running around during events, and being buddies with suppliers. In case you’re wondering, the girls at TeamAsia are up for it.

The perfect example of a well-rounded woman in TeamAsia is Ma’am Monette. I often find myself wondering how she excels in all her roles as mother, boss, daughter, and friend. When I see her, I ask myself, how does she maximize the 24 hours in a day? How does she get everything done? How does she make everyone love her?

Celebrating National Women’s Month empowers the women in the country that we now live in a society that believes that women are equal to men in all aspects. There is no more gender discrimination and both men and women deserve equal opportunities. And this Women’s Month, I would like to encourage everyone to praise and give recognition to these women who exceed expectations, who balance their work life and home life, and who take care of their family both at home and in the office. Whatever men can do, women can do it, too. Sometimes even better.