Yesterday, I was able to withdraw my first-ever Odesk earning. It wasn’t much, but certainly satisfying for a 10-hour work in one week. It only made me feel even more encouraged to work so well. Gladly my client gave a full-time 40-hour a week.

So who says work-from-home jobs can only leave you broke?

The last three weeks had been an ultimate challenge for me. I was hired for a Team Lead post in one of the biggest call center, not just in the Philippines, but also in the US. The compensation offer was not bad, and the promise for career growth is hugely tempting. Two days in the leadership training, I was confirmed by the program’s senior manager that I will be flying to the US for further product training since I already have a multiple visa. The said training is necessary in the migration process of the account since it’s going to be a pioneer program in the center’s site.

On the other hand, at the same time I started with the company, I was also hired to work full-time by one of the buyers in Odesk. The job requires 8 hours to work from home. And if by doing the math, it appears I am gonna be earning exactly the same—if not more—than what the contact center offered me. Another thing, with the work-from-home job I got, not only will I conveniently breathe, eat, and work at home, I will also be doing exactly what I am good at doing, which is writing.

Because I couldn’t give up any, I decided to still report in the training class during the evening, and then work with my home-based client in the morning as soon as I get home. The first four days proved very tiring, and while four days may not be enough reason to give up one promising job, I made the decision—and that is to go for some Odesk work.

Some people may be quick to say how stupid I’d been to give up a guaranteed employment with a physical office. A company that offers opportunities envied by many contact center slaves. A company that almost everyone I know would do everything just to get their feet in their recruitment facility. Nonetheless, those were not enough reasons for me to just let go of something I have waited for years.

I have worked in the call center for more than 6 years. I’ve worked in an office with years of grave yard shifts, answering volumes of contacts, dealing with irate individuals, working with easy to difficult bosses, and nice to demanding clients. I know the numbers and what they represent, and how to achieve the ones that will make you keep your job. Those were all extremely challenging, but I never have done the kind of work I have been so passionate about that I’d be more than willing to give up a fat paycheck.

Now is the time and I got that with Odesk. I am only working for 3 weeks and so far quite satisfied with what I am earning. Hard to believe yes, but I’m gonna be sure to blog more about my Odesk experience in the coming days.

For now, I just want to give myself the kind of KUDOS I didn’t receive despite all the hard work I’ve had as a Customer Service Agent and eventually the Program Supervisor during my call center experience. And to be honest, it feels damn great!