For nearly a decade before I completely changed my life, I had immersed myself in the world of training and development, covering everything from technical to soft skills training. My daily routine involved training needs analyses, module creation, facilitation, and measuring post-training developments were my daily routine. The job brought me the joy of meeting new people, engaging with them, and witnessing their growth firsthand. Yet, despite the fulfillment, a lingering thought persisted: was this all I could do?
Training and development was my bread and butter before I shifted to a different path. It was a familiar and comfortable place, but I worried about being stuck there forever without exploring other options to find out what I wanted to do. Then, in my late 20s, an opportunity changed everything. My mom had been bugging me for years to come to Taiwan, where they (both of my parents) live. One day, her phone call aligned perfectly with my need for a fresh start.
I moved to Taiwan, unsure of what to expect, but I dared to face whatever was bound to happen.
At first, I had reservations and was trying to find my niche. The jobs I found were to make ends meet, far from the fulfilling career I had imagined. My attempts to get back into training and development were hampered by my terrible Mandarin skills — language barriers were a big hurdle.
I knew I made a crucial choice to start over with no clear plan. I hunted through job listings, applying for roles where I could learn on the go. One application brought me to a company seeking an English-proficient technical writer. I vividly recall stumbling through my introduction, admitting my lack of Mandarin skills before fully grasping the opportunity before me.
Even though I wasn’t sure about technical writing, I still took their tech writing assessments and a series of interviews. Before I knew it, I was on my first day surrounded by jargon I wasn’t familiar with. The learning curve was steep, and I faced obstacles that tested me. But with each challenge I cleared, my confidence got stronger.
Four years into my journey as a technical/marketing content writer, I’m amazed at how things have turned out. The role I used to worry about has now become my passion. I never thought I’d enjoy diving into such technical stuff and learning new skills. This adventure led me to incredible things.
I realize it was more than just a change of atmosphere; it sparked personal and professional development, leading to self-discovery and unexpected opportunities. It taught me resilience, adaptability, and the value of taking risks. Interestingly, my background in training and development helped me transition smoothly, as both fields aim to facilitate learning and make complex information easier to understand and more accessible.
Now, looking back on my journey, I appreciate the challenges that pushed me to grow, including my Mandarin skills, and find a career path I never imagined. It wasn’t my first career choice, but it turned out to be a rewarding risk.
