Thu, 02 Feb 2023 13:14:03 +0800 https://www.michaelpage.com.ph/advice/career-advice/career-progression/bayanihan-embrace-change-emotional-intelligence The decision to relocate to the Philippines during the pandemic was a strong desire for her children to grow up with their grandparents.

“I really wanted my kids to have those young memories of being with their grandparents. You know, that really sweet, loving relationship grandparents have with their grandkids while they’re still physically able to carry, walk and babysit them,” says Anna Jumamil, Vice President, Advanced Analytics and Market Intelligence Manager at Nestle Philippines.

Born in America, Anna and her family moved to the Philippines when she was seven. She wanted to live and study abroad again and decided to pursue her masters in the States. After her studies, she worked for over four years in financial services.

Anna Jumamil (second from left) with her colleagues from Navy Federal Credit Union. / Image by Anna Jumamil

When she and her husband decided to move back to the Philippines, she started to reach out to people on LinkedIn who used to work overseas and had moved back to the Philippines. One thing led to another, and she was connected to Rhiannon Guilford, Director at Michael Page Philippines, who found Anna a suitable role at Nestle.

While Anna and her husband missed their families in the Philippines, moving back was not easy, especially during the pandemic. At one point, Anna had to give up a role so that her children could continue to attend preschool in America.

“When the Philippines went on lockdown and announced that classes will be virtual, I realized I don’t think I’ll be able to survive another year of virtual schooling,” she adds.

Anna stayed connected to Rhiannon for over a year before moving in 2022. In the following Q&A, she shares her learnings from working in the States, how being patient, resilient, and open about your needs can help you cope and adapt in different situations, and that there is no timeline when it comes to adapting to a new place.

Q: What first attracted you to the world of marketing?

A: I found it interesting how you have to create an overall strategy to reach the customer. It was an interest that started in my high school days. In college, a friend shared some successful creative campaigns that clearly understood the customers’ needs. And I love how marketing connects me to creative people, to work together and translate an idea in a way that I probably wouldn’t have thought of on my own.