Tamura, DEI Manager at SoundCloud Inc: Advize Career Interview

Tamura's dynamic career journey, from an entrepreneurship major to DEI Manager at SoundCloud, offers a compelling narrative of adaptability and impact.

A first-generation college graduate, Tamura's active campus involvement and diverse internships shaped a path marked by collaboration, project management, and strong emotional intelligence.

SoundCloud's DEI Manager navigates a role demanding constant learning, data analysis, and building authentic connections, overcoming challenges like perceptions of performative DEI. The music industry's inclusive environment contrasts with previous experiences, highlighting the rewarding aspect of connecting with diverse individuals and fostering community.

Tamura emphasizes assertiveness and networking while sharing advice for aspiring DEI professionals, including entry-level positions like DEI Program Specialist or HR Coordinator.

Key lessons learned include the importance of self-belief, not taking things personally, and building a positive professional reputation through consistent effort and impactful work, even if the results aren't immediately visible.

The interview concludes with insights into building a successful foundation during college, highlighting the value of proactive networking and a strong work ethic.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Tamura Davis

DEI Manager

SoundCloud Inc

Loyola Marymount University

N/A

Business Management & Admin

Arts, Entertainment & Media

Human Resources (HR)

Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member, First Generation College Student

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Career Path Of A DEI Manager At SoundCloud

Tamura's career path, beginning with an entrepreneurship major fueled by a desire to "own my own business," unexpectedly evolved through marketing and consulting, culminating in a DEI management role. Their journey, marked by a first-generation college experience, active campus involvement ("pledge two different sorority fraternities," VP of marketing for the Black Student Union), and diverse internships, showcases a dynamic and adaptable career trajectory.

Career Path Of A DEI Manager At SoundCloud

Main Responsibilities Of A DEI Manager At SoundCloud

Tamura's role as DEI Manager at SoundCloud involves extensive collaboration—"working with our music team, our marketing team, our social team"—and managing partnerships with DEI learning vendors and external speakers. This includes overseeing internal and external communications, ensuring "inclusive language," and customizing workshops to foster a diverse and inclusive environment at the company.

Main Responsibilities Of A DEI Manager At SoundCloud

A Day In The Life Of A DEI Manager At SoundCloud

A day for Tamura as a DEI Manager at SoundCloud involves "constantly keeping up with changes," analyzing internal demographic data to identify areas needing improvement (like women in engineering), and advocating for better representation. This includes connecting with SoundCloud employees to understand their experiences, networking with other DEI professionals to share best practices and learn from experts through workshops and conferences to continuously improve initiatives.

A Day In The Life Of A DEI Manager At SoundCloud

Most Important Skills For a DEI Manager at SoundCloud Inc

Tamura, a DEI Manager at SoundCloud, emphasizes the importance of "owning your learning journey" and "being proactive" in this constantly evolving field, highlighting the need for problem-solving, project management, and strong emotional intelligence (EQ) skills to effectively lead initiatives and connect authentically with diverse teams. The ability to "be a self-starter" and innovate is crucial for success in a DEI role.

Most Important Skills For a DEI Manager at SoundCloud Inc

Favorite Parts Of Being A DEI Manager At SoundCloud

Tamura, SoundCloud Inc.'s DEI Manager, most enjoys "getting to know people" from diverse backgrounds, expanding their perspective and challenging their comfort zone. This includes a positive shift in their attitude towards feedback, viewing it as crucial for authenticity and success in implementing DEI initiatives.

Favorite Parts Of Being A DEI Manager At SoundCloud

Biggest Challenges Faced by a DEI Manager at SoundCloud

Tamura's biggest challenge as a DEI Manager at SoundCloud is overcoming the perception that DEI initiatives are performative, stating that "the biggest challenge is ensuring that...it's not just checking a box off," and building genuine trust and belief in the authenticity of the company's commitment to diversity and inclusion. This requires consistent effort throughout the year, not just during designated awareness months, to foster genuine engagement and avoid the appearance of mere compliance.

Biggest Challenges Faced by a DEI Manager at SoundCloud

Favorite Parts Of Working In The Music And Entertainment Industry As A DEI Manager

Tamura, a DEI Manager at SoundCloud, appreciates the music industry's diverse and accepting environment, contrasting it with previous experiences in "white Corporate America" where Tamura felt they had to "wear a mask." The most rewarding aspect of their DEI work is "connecting with folks" and discovering shared experiences, fostering a sense of community that Tamura hadn't anticipated.

Favorite Parts Of Working In The Music And Entertainment Industry As A DEI Manager

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Music Industry According To A DEI Manager At SoundCloud

Tamura, a DEI Manager at SoundCloud, highlights assertiveness as crucial for success, noting that "women, especially women of color, struggle with being assertive," while also emphasizing the importance of networking, building connections ("a give and give" mentality), and maintaining a positive professional reputation in this close-knit industry.

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Music Industry According To A DEI Manager At SoundCloud

What a DEI Manager at SoundCloud wishes they knew before entering the Tech industry

Tamura, a DEI Manager at SoundCloud, learned that even when facing self-doubt, "it's important to snap back and don't doubt yourself," because even impacting "one person" makes a difference. The work is impactful, even if not immediately apparent, and consistent effort is key to achieving positive change.

What a DEI Manager at SoundCloud wishes they knew before entering the Tech industry

Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring DEI Managers

Entry-level DEI roles vary by company, but opportunities include "DEI program Specialist," "ERG specialist," or even "recruiting coordinator" roles, which can serve as a pathway to DEI recruiting. Other entry points include general HR roles, such as "HR coordinator" or positions on "culture teams," allowing a transition into DEI work by focusing on "Thrive[ing] the culture."

Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring DEI Managers

Significant Career Lesson From a DEI Manager at SoundCloud Inc

Tamura's most significant career lesson is "not taking things personal," a challenge stemming from a tendency to want everyone to approve of their work. This crucial insight, learned through experience, allows Tamura to discern constructive feedback from unproductive criticism and use it to guide their professional growth.

Significant Career Lesson From a DEI Manager at SoundCloud Inc

College Experiences That Helped a DEI Manager at SoundCloud Succeed

Tamura's path to success stemmed from a combination of proactive networking, "making connections with all different types of folks," and a strong work ethic involving multiple jobs throughout college. This, coupled with a conscious effort to "leave a positive impression on people," and avoid "burning bridges," laid a solid foundation for their career in DEI.

College Experiences That Helped a DEI Manager at SoundCloud Succeed

How Identity Has Influenced a DEI Manager's Career at SoundCloud Inc

Tamura's upbringing instilled a "keep your head down" work ethic, initially hindering their ability to advocate for themselves in a predominantly white male workplace. However, this experience, coupled with the unique challenges of being a Black woman and first-generation college graduate, ultimately fueled their success, transforming obstacles into strengths, culminating in the confident and accomplished professional they are today.

How Identity Has Influenced a DEI Manager's Career at SoundCloud Inc

Advizer Personal Links

http://linkedin.com/in/tamuradavis