In the United States, most spring graduation ceremonies are held in May and June. When the Jacaranda trees blossom in Los Angeles, it marks a pivotal moment for graduates to decide between furthering their education or entering the workforce. Emily Lee, the Quality Director of Carlsbad Tech in the United States, shared her experience of choosing to work from the ground up in her family business after graduating, instead of pursuing higher studies.
After graduating from the University of Toronto with a degree in biochemistry in 2005, Emily Lee contemplated staying in academia to pursue further studies with a professor. However, at that time, Carlsbad Tech in the U.S. was in need of laboratory personnel. She decided to gain practical experience first, thinking that she could always return to campus for further studies later. Little did she know that her youth would be dedicated to the company for over a decade, progressing from the laboratory to a management position. Recently, Emily Lee was honored with the “Golden Crown Award” by the World Chinese Business Association Southern California Chapter in 2024, becoming a prominent new generation female entrepreneur.
Reflecting on her choice after graduation, Emily Lee said, “I approached it with a mindset of giving it a try since I would be in the laboratory anyway.” Due to the diverse nature of her work, not limited to a single experiment or task, teamwork and collaboration allowed her to learn about projects beyond what she could have experienced on campus, broadening her horizons. Emily Lee expressed, “I felt I could continue working and learn more.” Thus, she gradually let go of the idea of returning to campus.
For recent college graduates entering the workforce, Emily Lee advises them to gain experience first, as it will help them better understand what knowledge they need if they decide to pursue further studies later. She emphasized the importance of not limiting oneself and encouraged new employees to seek out opportunities to learn and take on responsibilities. Laziness and shirking responsibilities should be avoided, as inadvertently passing up on something today may be beneficial in the future.
Established in 1965, Evertrust Pharmaceuticals in Taiwan is a renowned pharmaceutical company with manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Malaysia, and Mainland China. Originally founded in 1952 by Li Tiande as “Evertrust Western Medicine Store,” the company specializes in manufacturing and selling pharmaceuticals and health food products. As a third-generation member of the Evertrust family, Emily Lee did not receive any “special” treatment and started from the grassroots level. She humorously remarked, “I’ve washed my fair share of beakers and pulled my fair share of all-nighters.” This experience provided her with added pressure that ordinary employees may not face.
Emily Lee never felt the need to prepare to take over the family business. She stated, “We are all still in a learning process, and I am not the only one in the family.” The company entrusts capable individuals, which may include other family members or professional managers, with responsibilities. While Emily Lee hopes to be a candidate for succession in the future, she believes it is premature to discuss succession. Currently, her focus is on utilizing her expertise to uphold the quality of pharmaceutical products.
With changes in her job role, Emily Lee has joined business associations in recent years to expand her network, seeking opportunities to assist the company diversify its operations, find partners, and develop new products. She believes that each phase of work experience in life holds significance, even if a certain job may have seemed painful or boring at the time, or unsuitable for personal growth. Over time, she discovered the trajectory of her own growth.
As an executive at a multinational corporation, Emily Lee continuously learns how to balance various aspects of work, including external communication, negotiation, coordination with department staff, and attending meetings. This transition was not easy for someone accustomed to working solely with lab data. To overcome these challenges, she actively participates in various business associations and community activities, learning from experienced professionals and seeking advice from entrepreneurs in different fields, gradually enhancing her skills.
Emily Lee perceives Taiwan’s work environment as more structured and hierarchical compared to the United States, which embraces a more egalitarian and interactive work culture. To bridge the gap between the two workplace cultures, she employs clearer and simplified communication methods to facilitate cooperation between the two.
Emily Lee humorously describes her management style as “not being aloof,” acknowledging that company decisions are the result of collective team efforts and not solely attributable to one person. She views her role as performing different administrative tasks in a position, emphasizing communication with subordinates. She stated, “If they see me working hard, they shouldn’t be lazy, right?” Thus, she is punctual for meetings, avoids a lofty attitude, and uses work results to demonstrate progress.