I was born in Kyrgyzstan and moved to Macau when I was 13. Five years later, at the age of 18, I arrived in America alone, determined to build my dream.

With no family support or professional network, I worked 12-hour shifts as a receptionist to pay my way through four years of community college. Eventually, I landed a job as a legal assistant and started working my way up.

Law school, however, was financially out of reach, and I felt a strong pull to do something more fulfilling. The turning point? Working with a career coach and mentor who guided me toward a meaningful career in HR which has allowed me to work with tech startups and corporations like Amazon and Workday.

If I’ve learned one thing, it’s that building a career is a journey of continuous growth. There are highs, like starting my own business while becoming a mother, and lows, like being laid off during COVID – but every step is part of the process.

By investing in your growth, with the right guidance, you’re setting yourself up for the best version of your career.