He subsequently lived in Toronto and southeast Asia, later moving to Ottawa. Higdon began his Ottawa career teaching at Ottawa Technical High School but quickly became involved in politics and started work on Parliament Hill in January 1982 for a Member of Parliament. Employed by the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada from January 1984, he worked in the 1984 Canadian federal election as a member of the Progressive Conservative National Campaign Committee.
Higdon's career trajectory involved moving from teaching to politics, starting with a position at Ottawa Technical High School before transitioning to work for a Member of Parliament in January 1982. He later joined the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada and worked on their national campaign committee during the 1984 Canadian federal election.