For Joey Tian, career growth meant stepping into a different part of HR and seeing the business from a new perspective.
After three years as an Executive Assistant supporting HR leadership across APAC, she had built strong relationships and a clear understanding of how the People Team operated. At the same time, she knew she wanted to go further.
“I was looking for an opportunity to broaden my HR experience and step into a space I hadn’t explored before,” she says. “It felt like the right time to grow.”
Exploring a new path within HR
The opportunity to move into an HR Business Advisor role came through a conversation with the hiring manager. Rather than focusing on the title or progression, Joey Tian spent time understanding what the role involved and whether it suited her interests. “After learning more about the role and what it involved, I felt it was something that I would genuinely enjoy and decided to go for it.” Joey says.
That decision reflects a different approach to career development. Instead of aiming for a linear promotion, she focused on building experience in a new area and developing practical HR skills.
The value of support and relationships
A key part of her transition was the support around her.
“Throughout my time here, I’ve always felt supported by both my managers and colleagues in terms of career growth,” she explains.
That support showed in real ways. Her manager encouraged her move, and her colleagues helped her understand the role in detail.
“They were so generous with their time, letting me check in, answering questions, and giving me a genuine feel for the day-to-day aspects of the role,” she says.
This kind of environment made it easier to take on a new challenge without feeling like she was starting over
Moving into a new HR role meant building new skills quickly. Instead of trying to have all the answers from the start, Joey Tian focused on learning as she went.
“I spent time understanding the responsibilities, asking a lot of questions and leaned on the knowledge I built in my previous role,” she says.
She also had the opportunity to shadow parts of the role and learn directly from experienced colleagues. Being open, curious, and willing to ask questions became the foundation for her transition. It helped her adapt faster and build confidence in a new environment.
Redefining career growth
One of the most important lessons from her experience is how she now defines career growth.
“My experience has shown me that career growth doesn’t always mean a promotion,” she says. “Sometimes a lateral move gives you a completely new perspective and helps you build skills you might not have otherwise.” This perspective reflects how internal mobility at Equinix supports development in different ways — not only through upward movement, but also through new experiences and new challenges.
Growth through curiosity
For anyone thinking about their next step, Joey keeps her advice simple. “Be curious and don’t be afraid to have career conversations,” she says.
“You don’t need to have everything figured out before taking the next step. Being open to learning and saying yes to new challenges can lead to opportunities you never imagined.”
One idea that stayed with her came from a manager:
“Why not? What’s the worst that could happen?”
Today, she continues to build her HR advisory skills, strengthen partnerships across the business, and take on new challenges as they come. If she had to describe her career in one phrase, it would be simple: “Growth through curiosity.” In fact, Joey is looking forward to continuing to expand her experience, deepen her HR advisory skills, and grow her exposure as new opportunities come up. Her story shows how curiosity, honest conversations, and a willingness to try something new can open the door to meaningful career growth. If you’re thinking about your next step, start by exploring the opportunities, conversations, and support already around you.