In this episode of The Offshore Diaries, Paulo Santos sits down with MJ Lim, a rising virtual assistant who made the leap from nearly four years in the Philippine BPO industry into the world of remote work. MJ shares an unfiltered look at life inside traditional call centers—from rigid scripts and demanding workplace cultures to the challenges of career growth, compensation, and work-life balance. Through a candid conversation, she explains what pushed her to seek a different path and why so many professionals are exploring opportunities beyond the conventional corporate structure.

MJ also opens up about the realities of transitioning into the VA industry for the first time, including the fears, misconceptions, and risks that come with leaving a stable job behind. Together, they discuss job security, remote work cu ...