How Identity Has Influenced A Social Impact Marketing Manager's Career At Discovery Education
Amira's career navigation as a Black queer woman has been significantly shaped by proactively building community and seeking mentorship and sponsorship within various identity groups, counteracting the limited opportunities often faced. This intentional strategy, including finding "people who are gonna be your sponsors... who... are gonna go to bat for you," has proven crucial for career advancement, demonstrating the power of allyship and advocacy in professional growth.
Mentorship, Networking, Community Building, Sponsorship, Overcoming Challenges
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Amira Davis
Social Impact Marketing Manager
Discovery Education
University of Georgia - Terry College of Business, 2016
UCLA Anderson (FTMBA 2025)
Marketing
Education
Communication and Marketing
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member, LGBTQ, Transfer Student
Video Highlights
1. Building a strong professional network is crucial for career advancement. Amira emphasizes the importance of finding mentors and sponsors within various communities (Black, queer, women) who can provide guidance and advocate for opportunities.
2. Overcoming challenges as a minority in the workplace requires proactive steps. Amira highlights the need to find community and build relationships with people who can support and champion your career progression.
3. Mentorship and sponsorship play a vital role in career success. Amira's experience demonstrates how cultivating relationships with both mentors (offering guidance) and sponsors (advocating for opportunities) can significantly impact career trajectory. She also notes that allies from any background can be valuable to one's career.
Transcript
As someone who identifies as a Black queer woman, how has that impacted how you've navigated your career?
It's definitely impacted the opportunities I've gotten. You see your counterparts, especially those who are male or non-black, generally white, get opportunities ahead of you, and that has had negative impacts.
However, finding community with different groups has helped me circumvent that. Just as others have had sponsors, I've had to find mine within these groups. This even affected me in undergrad as a transfer student.
I had to find community, seeking out spaces open to black, queer, or women individuals. I apply that same approach in my professional career. At companies, I lead ERG groups, serving not only as a community member but also as a resource.
This has helped me navigate my career path and build my brand. It's twofold: find people who will be mentors, as mentors are super important. Look for those already navigating the space as whoever you identify.
For me, these have been women, queer people, and black individuals in leadership roles. It's also been people of color in general who hold leadership positions. They are willing to mentor and mold you, offering advice you might not know you need.
It's also important to find sponsors. These individuals may not offer direct mentorship or guidance, but when you're not present, they advocate for you. They speak critically and concisely about your contributions and why you deserve opportunities.
This goes a long way. Often, you don't get offered roles because no one in the room is discussing you. Having people who speak on your behalf is impactful. Being intentional about finding and cultivating these relationships will have the most effect.
This isn't to say there aren't white allies, queer individuals, or even non-males who can help. Some of my biggest champions have been white, cisgender, heterosexual men. They can also be supportive.
However, first, you need to overcome the discomfort of being the only person of your identity in a room. This will help you build relationships with others who can champion and sponsor you, regardless of whether they share your identity.
So, find a mentor, find community, and then use that to find sponsorship, grow yourself, and advance your career.