Virtual Assistant as career option

Ranjan K Baruah *

Technology has become an integral part of our life. There is no individual on earth who is not connected directed or indirectly with technology and gadgets.

We talk about digital world and virtual world when there is discussion related to internet or communication through gadgets. A virtual world is computer-based simulated environments which may be populated by many users and independently explore the virtual world, participate in its activities and communicate with others.

It is a world which is computer-based online community or similar. Users interact with each other in this simulated world using text-based, two-dimensional or three-dimensional graphical models.

All virtual worlds possess the qualities of persistence and interactivity. This enables the users to explore the inherent benefits of socialization and allows them to study human nature and users’ abilities. In simple a virtual world may also be called a digital world.

Let us connect virtual world with our career. There are many career options but we are discussing about Virtual Assistant as one of the career option.

A virtual assistant (typically abbreviated to VA) is generally self-employed and provides professional administrative, technical, or creative assistance to clients remotely from a home office or any other place because virtual assistants are independent professionals rather than employees, clients are not responsible for any employee-related taxes, insurance or benefits, except in the context that those indirect expenses are included in the VA’s fees.

Common modes of communication and data delivery include the Internet, e-mail and phone-call conferences, online work spaces, fax machine, etc. Increasingly Virtual Assistants are utilizing technology such as Skype, Slack, as well as Google Voice. Professionals may work in contract basis or part time basis depending on the work and the clients’ requirements.

They may also work for big companies or corporate houses. The best part is someone without very formal educational qualification may become virtual assistant if s/he posses digital skills. It is always advantageous for individuals from computer background as they are equipped with technical knowledge.

To become a dedicated VA it is important to have few skills apart from academic or technical skills. As long as digital world is spreading, it is also bring opportunity for VAs. A dedicated virtual assistant is someone working in the office under the management of a company.

The home based virtual assistant worked either in the office sharing environment or in their house. The general VA is sometimes called an online administrative assistant, online personal assistant or online sales assistant.

A virtual webmaster assistant, virtual marketing assistant and virtual content writing assistant are specific professionals that are usually experienced employees from corporate environment that started to set up their own virtual offices.

Students from North Eastern region may choose this option and get engaged with different clients from different parts of the country or rest of the world.

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