From Teaching to HigherCloud: An Unexpected Career Journey

Eda Huang graduated from National Taiwan Normal University with a clear career path in mind. Most of her classmates chose one of three paths: entering the teaching profession, pursuing further studies, or joining the corporate world. Initially, Eda was among those who decided to become a teacher. She hoped to work steadily in a school until retirement, which led her to take a junior high school teaching position. After completing a semester of internship in January 2020, she became a substitute teacher at Jin Hua Junior High School in Taipei. However, when her contract ended in July 2020, a significant career shift occurred.

Through a serendipitous encounter, Eda was introduced to HigherCloud, a young and dynamic team full of energy. As her teaching contract ended and she was searching for a new job, the idea of uncovering untapped potential and creating more value for herself took root. Driven by curiosity and a desire for self-exploration, she accepted the offer at HigherCloud. "I am grateful to the general manager for trusting and hiring me, even though I had no relevant background. It allowed me to enter a completely new field and embark on a new career journey," Eda recalls. From that moment, what seemed like a regular encounter opened up an entirely new and unexpected path for her, far removed from teaching.

Challenges and Adaptation in the Corporate World

At the beginning of her career transition, Eda was filled with anticipation and curiosity. However, as she started working, anxiety began to set in. Transitioning from teaching to the corporate world meant adapting to a completely different work environment and responsibilities, with significant differences in salary and job nature. Despite lacking a relevant background and having only heard about corporate life from family and TV dramas, she mentally prepared herself, knowing that she would need to spend significant time and effort to learn and adapt.

Eda's initial position was as a product specialist. During the company's early days, her job scope was broad and diverse, allowing her to work on various tasks such as procurement and accounting. As time passed and the company grew rapidly, Eda transitioned to a management role, forming her own team. Shifting from an executor to a leader was a huge challenge but also a tremendous growth opportunity. She confidently stated, "As a manager, my goal is not just to solve problems and complete tasks, but also to help team members discover and develop their strengths."

As the department expanded, Eda continually practiced delegation, communication, setting departmental goals, and creating individual work objectives for team members. These experiences gradually matured her management style, evolving from a "parental" approach to a "coaching" and "participatory" management style, giving the team more room for growth. Along this journey, Eda faced several bottlenecks and challenges, even contemplating quitting at times. However, through communication and coordination with her supervisors, she found a balance and established a cooperative rapport, allowing her to continue striving for herself, her team, and the company.

Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Altruism

In the product department, Eda often handled complex projects. She shared, "One particular project involving multiple resources and processes taught me the importance of teamwork. From the original manufacturer to suppliers, customers, and end-users, every stage had critical details to manage. Through continuous discussions and coordination with the team, we successfully executed the project." Reflecting on the scene when the project concluded, where colleagues gathered to express gratitude and feedback, Eda deeply appreciated the strength of teamwork and the warmth and support of the workplace.

Moreover, Eda admitted that the nature of the job, which shifted from focusing on "people" in teaching to "profits and conditions" in the corporate world, was initially challenging. However, she gradually improved by reading books, communicating across departments, seeking advice from experienced mentors, and utilizing the company's abundant learning resources. "I believe every issue is an opportunity for growth. If there's a problem, it means there's room for improvement. For me, constant self-dialogue, metacognition, enhancing adaptability, and perspective-taking are crucial," she expressed enthusiastically.

As she grew into her management role, Eda also experienced a mindset shift, deeply appreciating the importance of altruism. As a frontline employee, she only needed to focus on completing her tasks. However, as a manager, she realized she needed to consider her team and provide them with opportunities. "It may sound a bit cliché, but I hope I can be the sky for my team, allowing them to shine brightly. My sense of accomplishment often comes from my team's growth and the recognition others give us," she said happily.

Discovering Potential and Value in the Corporate World

Looking back on her decision to join HigherCloud, this unexpected choice significantly altered Eda's career trajectory. She discovered her unlimited potential and possibilities. Although corporate work may seem vastly different from teaching, she realized she could excel and thrive in it, expanding her personal growth space and setting new career goals.

HigherCloud indeed provided Eda with a platform to break through her limits, amplifying her potential and value as she grew alongside the company. In her closing remarks, Eda expressed her gratitude: "I wouldn't have made it this far without the help of many people, including my supervisor Hanson, my predecessor Freddy, my colleagues Levi, Silver, Lilian, and my long-time teammates Jill, Emily, Lulu, and my spiritual partners Wade and Linus, as well as my Product and Marketing team. They have shared knowledge with me, guided me when I was stuck, and encouraged me when I felt down. Their support has kept me going."

She also had a message for those considering joining HigherCloud: "Every word you say may ripple in someone's heart, accumulating and making an impact. No matter what your job is, work hard and prepare yourself to seize every opportunity. Don't underestimate every little thing you do, as personal success is key to the team's success." These words reflect her unwavering principles, and she hopes to continue carrying this positive energy forward on her ideal career path.