The writer is a native of Isabela, Negros Occidental. She earned her Mass Communication degree from the University of St. La Salle and pursued Global MBA studies at Providence University in Taichung City, Taiwan, where she was conferred top honors. She was a business reporter at the DAILY STAR before she moved to Taiwan.
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The year was 2016 in Taipei, Taiwan. It was a usual weekend when my classmates and I went around Taipei 101. Tourists, performers, families and lovers were all surrounding this top landmark.
Taipei 101 used to be the tallest building in the world, standing at 508 meters. It has 101 storeys. The building is uniquely designed to resemble a gigantic bamboo stalk. It houses top financial, technology and business corporations in the country.
It was not the first time I was seeing it but, that day, I was in awe of its height and beauty that I told myself, “I am going to get a job here and I’m going to see 101 everyday.”
Taiwan is home of engineering, high technology innovation and facilities and is the place of origin of big brands, like Asus, Acer, Transcend, MSI, Delta and more. Even the chips in your iPhones are made in Taiwan through Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd. No wonder it is ranked us 11th in the World Digital Competitiveness Ranking by Institute for Management Development.
Last year, months before I graduated from my masteral studies, I searched for media-related jobs. I also got job offers for teaching English and I was in the midst of the dilemma of what exactly am I going to do. It even didn’t cross my mind to work in tech companies because, of course, it is far different from my educational background and interests.
Through perseverance and connections that I have built, I was assured of a job even before my graduation with e-Formula Technologies, Inc., a total solutions company specializing in three business groups – Telecom, AIoT and Energy.
Although I didn’t have much background about that nor I love math and latest tech trends, I accepted this offer. True, this is far from what I like or what I studied before, but this is a kind of challenge to explore my capabilities and an opportunity to experience first-hand what it’s like to work in one of Taiwan’s top industries.
I started as the coordinator for Artificial Intelligence technology and the Internet of Things (AIoT) business group, Taiwan CEO’s assistant and, later on, I became the assistant for the company’s chairman and controller for our telecom business group, including our Philippine regional office.
My Taiwanese friends are usually surprised when I tell them I work directly under the chairman. For them, working under a corporate chairman means much pressure. On the contrary, I have been enjoying my job as I learn something new dealing with our employees, clients and partners every day – whether it is about engineering and technology, accounting, finance and law.
It’s more than a year now and I’m still happily working as the only foreigner in this company. Taiwanese might be so serious at work but they are definitely fun to be with. This kind of work ethic and fun colleagues are what I’ve been hoping for.
Now, I’m staying in Neihu District, a famous location in Taipei for IT companies. Just like what I prayed for four years ago, I can see Taipei 101 everyday. Its beauty never fades and so are my dreams and positive outlook in life. – NWI
