When Eldee Africa-Villapando entered college, her goal was clear: become a doctor. Like many students chasing a dream, she pursued a path in medicine with dedication—until she realized it wasn’t the right fit.
“It wasn’t really part of the plan,” she told Financial Adviser PH. “I started out in medical school, but eventually realized it wasn’t the right path for me.”
That realization—while difficult—marked the beginning of a pivot that would eventually lead her to a career where she didn’t just survive, but truly thrived.
Letting go of one dream to make space for another
Villapando made the courageous decision to step away from medicine and enter the workforce sooner. She wasn’t exactly sure what direction to take, but she was willing to start small and stay curious.
She landed her first job in HR through an agency, doing administrative tasks like managing 201 files. It wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t strategic. But it was a start.
“At first, it was just a job—but as I got more involved, I discovered how much I enjoyed the people side of HR.”
What began as a stopgap role turned into a door opening. She liked helping people. She liked understanding how workplaces functioned. And she liked being part of a system that, when done right, made employees feel supported and businesses run better.
Gaining ground by rotating through HR’s core functions
Villapando didn’t just stay in one area of HR—she explored them all. After her first role, she transitioned to a manufacturing company where she was exposed to Employee and Labor Relations, handling real-world issues including union negotiations.
“It was a challenging but eye-opening experience,” she said. “It taught me the importance of communication, negotiation, and mutual respect.”
From there, she moved into Organizational Development, Recruitment, and eventually Compensation and Benefits, giving her a holistic understanding of how people and systems interact inside a company.
Over time, it became clear: the same qualities that once made her consider a career in medicine—empathy, critical thinking, and a desire to help people grow—were also what made her effective in HR.
The skills that clicked—and the moment it all made sense
Through trial, exposure, and constant learning, Villapando began to recognize something essential:
“Skills like communication, problem-solving, and relationship-building came naturally to me—and those are really at the core of HR.”
What started as a detour became a calling.
“So while it wasn’t the path I had planned, it ended up being the one where I truly found my fit.”
Career pivots are not failures—they’re redirections
For anyone second-guessing their current path, Villapando’s story is a reminder that success doesn’t always follow a straight line. Sometimes, the most meaningful careers begin in uncertainty. The key is in staying open, doing the work, and noticing what energizes you—even in the small tasks.
Her story also highlights a crucial truth: you don’t have to get it right the first time. You just have to be willing to course-correct.
From uncertainty to impact
Today, Villapando isn’t just an HR practitioner—she’s a certified professional who has earned respect in the field, not just for her technical skills, but for her people-first approach and strategic contributions.
She now mentors others, creates systems that support growth, and helps shape cultures where people can thrive.
And while her career started far from where it ended up, she wouldn’t change a thing.
