How Identity Has Influenced an Account Executive at Deutsch LA's Career
Christopher's low-income, first-generation background initially presented "mental barriers," but building confidence through self-created projects and sharing work with professionals opened unexpected opportunities, such as "working...for a travel journalist or...sitting in the press box for a soccer match." This journey highlights the importance of self-belief, seeking mentorship, and proactively engaging with others to overcome socioeconomic limitations and advance a career.
Overcoming Challenges, Confidence, Networking, Building Professional Relationships, Career Development
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Christopher Morales
Account Executive
Deutsch LA
Cornell University, 2020
N/A
Communications
Arts, Entertainment & Media, Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Creative
Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Transfer Student, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Overcoming mental barriers: Christopher emphasizes the importance of overcoming self-limiting beliefs about what's achievable, particularly for first-generation, low-income individuals. He highlights the power of self-belief and support systems in achieving career goals.
2. Building confidence through self-initiative: Christopher's proactive approach to content creation and sharing his work, starting in high school and continuing through college, showcases how taking initiative can build confidence and open doors to opportunities.
3. Networking and seeking mentorship: Christopher stresses the value of networking and seeking advice from professionals. His experiences highlight how sharing work and actively engaging with industry professionals can lead to unexpected opportunities and career advancement.
Transcript
As someone who identifies as low-income and first-generation, how has that impacted how you've navigated your career?
Being low-income and first-generation presents mental barriers regarding what one believes they can achieve. I was fortunate to discover, with support from others, that I am capable of many great things.
Sometimes, I can accomplish these things independently. For example, signing up for the radio station in high school or college was content I could create and manage myself, which I took pride in. Being kind to myself and patient with this new line of work was important.
Not only was I able to create content, but I became comfortable sharing it with others, not just friends and family, but also industry professionals. Having the confidence to share my work allowed them to engage in conversation, asking what I wanted out of life.
More importantly, it gave them ideas on how they could expose me to different opportunities. This included underwriting for a travel journalist or sitting in the press box at a soccer match at Yankee Stadium. These incredible, unexpected experiences, which I never thought possible as a first-generation, low-income student, did happen.
I believe this comes from slowly building confidence, developing my work, and being comfortable approaching others for advice. Being able to mark these steps in my life was achievable. I did them in high school, college, and even now, three years into my professional career. Having the confidence to ask others for advice is crucial.