How Identity Influenced an Executive Recruiter at a Top Search Firm
David, an executive recruiter at a top firm, notes the underrepresentation of Asian Americans, particularly women, in their field, contrasting this with the common perception of Asian Americans in STEM fields. This experience, described as feeling like "an ugly duckling," has motivated David to become a "trailblazer," hoping to mentor future professionals from similar backgrounds and increase representation in executive search.
Executive Search, Asian American Representation, Breaking Stereotypes, Career in Liberal Arts, Mentorship
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
David Xie
Executive Recruiter / Executive Search Associate
Forbes Top 5 Executive Search Firm
University of California, Santa Barbara - 2017
NA
International Relations & Affairs
Recruitment, HR & Related Professional Services
Sales and Client Management
Honors Student, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. David's career path in executive search is unique for Asian Americans, who are often associated with STEM fields.
2. He felt like an 'ugly duckling' pursuing a liberal arts-focused career, highlighting the lack of representation.
3. He aims to be a trailblazer and mentor for future Asian Americans interested in similar non-STEM fields within the executive search industry, especially women.
Transcript
As someone who identifies as Asian American, how has that impacted how you've navigated your career?
That's a good question. I think for me, it's very rare that you see Asian Americans in the field of work that I do. Asian Americans stereotypically are in science, math, and STEM fields.
They're typically doctors, lawyers, physicians, or software engineers at companies like Google or Facebook, or something along those lines. I think someone who grew up more interested in liberal arts and social studies subjects sometimes found it intimidating. It sometimes felt tough.
I felt like an ugly duckling, for lack of a better word, growing up. But to be in this space now, I feel lucky. I feel lucky to have found something that I'm really passionate about.
On top of that, there aren't that many people who look like me, and even fewer who look like me and are female, in this space. I look forward to continuing to be a trailblazer here for future Asian Americans who may not be the typical apple from the tree that goes into STEM.
Perhaps they are more interested in social studies, liberal arts, or more people-relationship-focused careers. Hopefully, I can help them.
Hopefully, one day I can be a face on a leadership team that an up-and-coming associate or analyst can look up to, and hopefully, I can mentor them. I think that piece is important through all these conversations.