How Identity Influenced A Marketing Manager's Career At Precision Construction Services
As a first-generation college student and woman, Michalene's career journey has been marked by navigating unfamiliar environments where they were often the only one with their background, requiring extra effort but ultimately proving that "it is possible." This experience fueled a belief in their own potential and the importance of actively seeking opportunities to demonstrate abilities and learn, rejecting limitations imposed by others' perceptions and emphasizing that "your path may not be direct."
Overcoming Challenges, Resilience, Confidence, Achieving Goals, Motivational Stories
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Michalene Busico
Marketing Manager
Precision Construction Services
Pomona College, Claremont, CA and University of California, Irvine
N/A
English, Writing & Education, English
Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Communication and Marketing
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. "Don't let prevailing ideas define you or your abilities. Your potential is innate; develop it."
2. "Your path may not be direct, but don't feel that something isn't possible because it is."
3. "Look for ways in and opportunities to show what you can do and learn what you need to be qualified for the work you want."
Transcript
As someone who identifies as a woman and a first-generation college student, how has that impacted how you've navigated your career?
Whenever you enter an unfamiliar environment where you might be the only person with your background or identity, it can be intimidating. It requires an extra push to make yourself do it.
The key is that you just have to do it. You can't let prevailing ideas define you, your dreams, or your abilities. Your potential is innate, and it's up to you to develop it. You will find people to help you.
I've moved in many different worlds, especially in journalism. I worked at The New York Times and The LA Times, among other places. From the outside, they seemed like closed universes you had to be inside to work in, but that's not true.
Your path may not be direct or what you expect, but don't ever feel that something isn't possible, because it is. I know this from my own experience and that of others.
You just need to look for the way in and for opportunities to show what you can do. Learn what you need to be qualified for the work you want to do.
So, I guess that's my advice. It is optimistic, I know. It bothers me when people try to define me based on who they think I am or where I came from. I won't allow that, so don't do it.