When Life’s Path Isn’t Straight—Can You Still Find Your Own Pace?
From celebrity assistant, public sector worker, to a PM in the cloud industry, Doris’s career journey might seem winding—but through exploration and self-reflection, she’s gradually moved closer to the kind of life she envisions. Today, she is part of the Product Team at HigherCloud, focusing on cross-cloud support and problem-solving. “I’m actually not very good at social interaction,” she says, “but the culture here allows me to feel safe being myself and slowly realize my own value.”
Starting with Trust in the Cloud Industry
Doris graduated from the Department of Taiwanese Language and Communication at National United University. Early on, she tried a career path related to her major by working as a celebrity assistant, but the high pressure and long hours led her to reconsider. Later, she joined a cultural heritage management team at the Hakka Cultural Park, where she worked with history and artifacts. She also briefly worked in real estate sales—an experience that confirmed one thing: “I don’t really enjoy dealing with people too much. I’m better suited to professional, internal-facing work with a steady rhythm.”
Her entry into the cloud industry was somewhat serendipitous. “I learned about HigherCloud through a friend. I didn’t know what cloud computing was, only that it’s a fast-growing field with great potential.” What truly made her decide to take the job was how she felt during the interview. “After talking with the product lead, I sensed she was energetic and warm, someone who gave me a strong sense of security. Even though I was new to this industry, I felt I could trust a manager like that with my future.”
She still remembers her first day at work—she happened to walk in on a birthday celebration for a teammate. That warm and welcoming scene instantly put her at ease. “It really felt like a big family here. Everyone takes care of each other and lends a hand—that’s something I never experienced at my previous jobs.”
Finding Her Place and Value in a Dynamic Role
Doris previously worked with AWS cloud products. After returning from maternity leave, she was assigned to support Cross-Cloud, providing support across multiple platforms. Though the challenges are greater, they also reflect the trust and value placed in her experience.
She recalls feeling overwhelmed at first by the complexity of cloud services and the vast amount of information. “In the beginning, I relied on vendor support. But as the workload grew, I couldn’t wait around anymore—I had to find answers myself. I started searching online, asking original vendors, talking with colleagues, and learning from agents… Eventually, I found my rhythm.”
She’s especially thankful for the consistent support and space provided by CEO Hanson. “There was a time when I delivered a nearly flawless result on a task from my manager, and he praised me on the spot. That moment gave me a real sense of accomplishment and confirmed that I made the right choice—both in company and in leadership.”
Respect Is the Best Kind of Fuel
When asked to describe HigherCloud’s culture, Doris uses words like “freedom,” “trust,” and “being heard.”
“Our team leader is fun and always open to listening to everyone’s ideas. We’re allowed to explore what we want to try, and whenever we hit a wall, our manager steps in—not to command us, but to help us analyze and work through it together, like a true partner.”
She also mentioned that the company offers many resources for growth, including semiannual external training opportunities, subsidies for course registration, and certification bonuses. These helped her obtain certifications from both Alibaba Cloud and AWS, and allowed her to participate in more cross-departmental collaborations. The technical department also holds weekly internal classes where the team picks a topic to study and learn together—something that not only builds skills but also strengthens team cohesion.
Now back from maternity leave, Doris is clear about her current goals:
“First, stabilize; then close the gaps in my skill set.”
“As a supporter of the Cross-Cloud, I need to quickly understand the details of different cloud platforms. I hope to get up to speed soon and contribute more to the team.”
As for her future hopes, Doris speaks with gentle yet firm resolve: “I know I’m not the flashiest person, but I’m happy being a dependable gear in the company—operating steadily, quietly supporting the team. I also hope to maintain a good balance between work and family.” She believes HigherCloud will continue to grow, attract more talented people, and improve benefits for everyone along the way.
A Message for Fresh Grads and Career Switchers
“I highly recommend HigherCloud to fresh graduates. We may not be a big company, but we’re more willing than most large firms to give you opportunities—to let you try, to let you fail, and to have someone guide you forward step by step.”
Finally, she expresses her gratitude to the company and her managers: “Thank you to HigherCloud for giving me this opportunity. Thank you to Hanson and Eda for believing in me, encouraging me to start from zero with AWS, and helping me realize that I can thrive in this industry too.”
At HigherCloud, every role deserves to be understood, and every journey is shared. We are looking for more people who are ready to challenge themselves, eager to learn, and willing to believe in the power of teamwork. If you’re searching for a sense of belonging in your career—maybe we’re looking for you.