How Identity Has Influenced a Senior Deputy District Attorney's Career at the Orange County District Attorney
Bryan, a senior deputy district attorney, initially tried to downplay their Asian identity in their career but learned that implicit bias is "real" and significantly impacts hiring, promotion, and retention. Addressing this bias constructively, while navigating challenges like needing to "do three times the amount of work to get to the same place," requires community support and collective action for career advancement.
Overcoming Challenges, Implicit Bias, Workplace Discrimination, Resilience, Mentorship
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Bryan Clavecilla
Sr. Deputy District Attorney
Orange County District Attorney
UCLA class of 2004
Chapman School of Law, Juris Doctor, 2007
Philosophy
Government & Public Sector, Law
Legal
Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Implicit bias is real and affects hiring, recruitment, promotion, and retention in the legal field.
2. Addressing implicit bias constructively is crucial for career growth and requires acknowledging its existence and developing effective coping strategies.
3. Building a supportive community is vital for navigating challenges related to identity and implicit bias in a professional setting.
Transcript
As someone who identifies as Asian, how has that impacted how you navigate your career?
For me, one of the things I treasure most is the fact that I am Asian. Early on in my career, I did not appreciate that. I tried to shy away from it and pretend like it didn't matter.
But implicit bias is real. One of the things that was frustrating to me while pursuing a career in the legal field is the role implicit bias plays in hiring, recruitment, promotion, and retention.
People will tell you that's all in your head. They might say you don't understand microaggressions. Unless you've been there, you don't understand.
I'm here to tell you that it's real, and we can address it in a way that is positive and constructive, not destructive to your career and growth. Acknowledging that it exists is one thing. Learning how to deal with it in a way that benefits you and those coming after you is the challenge.
It's important not to let it get you down when you start seeing things like having to do three times the amount of work to get to the same place. Or why you were not considered for something versus someone with objectively lower qualifications.
Being connected to your community provides safe places to talk about these issues. Knowing that you can fight these issues collectively in a way that moves all of us forward is definitely something that really matters to me.
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