【Article by GCIT】

On April 14, 2025, students from the Master’s Program in Global Communication and Innovation Technology (GCIT) at National Chengchi University visited Uber Taiwan’s office in Taipei. The event centered around the theme “Careers Without Formulas: Break the Frame, Explore the Possibilities, Expand the Vision.” In a rapidly globalizing world, this gathering aimed to broaden the students’ international perspectives and encourage them to rethink career development as a diverse and non-linear journey.

Three senior managers from Uber Taiwan, each with unique professional backgrounds, shared their personal career journeys and insights: Andy Hsu, Head of Advertising; Wendy Hsu, Brand and Performance Marketing Manager; and Jessica Yeh, Advertising Sales Manager. Their stories provided powerful inspiration and valuable lessons for students navigating a complex job market.

Andy Hsu opened the session with the statement, “I wasn’t just frying fries—I was laying the foundation for my future.” He shared his journey from working at McDonald’s to leading advertising for Uber across Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China. This path followed a diverse career in Canadian healthcare, market research, and Google Ads.

He emphasized how early part-time jobs became valuable leverage in business negotiations. Andy also highlighted Uber Taiwan’s pioneering initiatives, including the unique “Uber Eats Market” retail model, which is unprecedented globally. He noted that Uber’s NT$8.6 billion contribution to Taiwan’s economy resulted in 70% of that revenue going directly to restaurant partners.

Wendy Hsu, who refers to herself as a “rebellious marketer,” shared her unique career journey. After achieving success at Estée Lauder, she decided to take a two-year break from her corporate career. During this time, she traveled and worked across Asia and Europe, managed a social media platform for a bed and breakfast, and earned a professional wine certification in Ireland.

“In Asia, career breaks are often viewed as failures. However, for me, this detour allowed me to reconnect with my true self,” she explained. Wendy encouraged students to focus on their core values and not let their identities be defined solely by their job titles.

Jessica Yeh, a graduate of New York University, shared insights about her career journey, which includes roles at Expedia, Google, and now Uber. She emphasized the importance of building relationships and going beyond what is outlined in a job description. In light of the industry changes brought about by the pandemic, her proactive mindset has allowed her to thrive in new and challenging environments.

“True leadership doesn’t always stem from authority; it comes from creating an atmosphere where your team can think, speak, and act freely,” she stated. Jessica encouraged students to take the initiative in defining their roles, rather than confining themselves to traditional job listings, which can help them become truly irreplaceable.

A 30-minute Q&A session followed, during which students posed targeted questions about digital advertising strategies and market adaptation. Andy Hsu explained how Uber customizes its global strategy for Taiwan, while Jessica Yeh highlighted Taiwan's role as a testbed for innovative campaigns, often inspiring global teams with local adaptations.

More than just a corporate visit, the event fostered meaningful dialogue on navigating career uncertainty and embracing nonlinear paths. The three speakers embodied the spirit of “careers without formulas,” emphasizing that detours are not failures, pauses are not regressions, and proactively expanding one’s role can lead to unexpected value creation. Their closing message resonated deeply: “Great minds don’t think alike.” 

[此中英文稿和圖片以及全球傳播與創新科技碩士學位學程均獲得中華民國文化部的補助。]