How Identity Has Influenced A Strategy And Finance Manager's Career At DoorDash
In a male-dominated finance industry, Justine, an Asian female, initially struggled to "articulate thoughts" and express opinions confidently, fearing appearing too feminine or masculine. Over time, however, Justine learned to prioritize effective communication, focusing on substance over social anxieties, and found support through minority and women's initiatives within their companies.
Communication, Overcoming Challenges, Resilience, Networking, Leadership
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Justine Lee
Manager (Strategy & Finance)
DoorDash
University of Pennsylvania, Wharton, 2016
N/A
Economics
Technology
Finance
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient
Video Highlights
1. Overcoming communication challenges in male-dominated fields by finding one's voice and effective communication style.
2. The importance of self-discovery and confidence in navigating professional environments, especially as a minority.
3. Utilizing support networks such as minority or women's focus groups to find mentorship and build community within the workplace
Transcript
As an Asian female, how has that impacted how you've navigated your career?
As a female, and specifically an Asian female in finance, I struggled to articulate my thoughts. This industry is primarily dominated by white males, even more so on Wall Street. When someone asked if I thought something was a good investment opportunity, it was hard to answer.
I had pros and cons in my head, but I wasn't used to speaking out. Although I'm an opinionated person now, when I started working, I didn't know how to express my opinions. I didn't know how to do so articulately and professionally, or in a way that didn't make me seem too feminine or too masculine.
Being surrounded by white males who talked about sports or other topics I couldn't relate to made it hard to feel like a teammate. This wasn't true for all Asian females; many were opinionated and vocal on their teams. However, I had to learn to express myself and communicate clearly and effectively without compromising myself.
I didn't want people to judge my opinions based on my gender. Early in my career, I felt like a "baby professional," trying to fit in with the guys and faking it. As time went on, I realized my differences didn't matter.
It didn't matter that I couldn't relate to certain conversations or had no interest in them. What mattered was my ability to clearly answer the question: "Is this a good investment opportunity?" If I could do that effectively, then my insecurities about social norms became irrelevant.
Being part of a minority group also granted me access to Asian American initiatives and focus groups for women and minorities. Membership in these groups helped me feel more a part of the companies I worked for and helped me find myself within them.
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