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UPWARD

UPWARD

By Min Kwon

Upward is a podcast series that aims to amplify and highlight the experiences and journeys of Asian Americans in corporate and business America. We focus on the successes and opportunities they have gained through their career, sharing the advice and lessons learned throughout their professional journeys.
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8 - Christina - Self-Advocacy & Solidarity at Work

UPWARDNov 10, 2020

00:00
44:32
8 - Christina - Self-Advocacy & Solidarity at Work

8 - Christina - Self-Advocacy & Solidarity at Work

On episode 8, we have a discussion with Christina Wang, current HR Business Partner at Shutterstock. We touch on a range of topics, from addressing barriers to DEI initiatives in corporate America, the conditional nature of the model minority identity, being a self-advocate at work, taking feedback like a champ, and enacting systemic change within the industry. Listen to the full episode to hear what Christina had to say!

Nov 10, 202044:32
7 - Juhyun - Taking Risks and Finding the Perfect Job

7 - Juhyun - Taking Risks and Finding the Perfect Job

On Episode 7 of UPWARD, Juhyun, current senior marketing insights analyst at Roundel (part of Target), discusses how she has been able to land a job that is very close to her idea of a perfect job, combining her passion for marketing and data analytics. She shares the journey she’s taken from her very first internships to the pivots she’s made in her career. We also discuss setting boundaries as a junior analyst, how to set yourself up for success in your full-time career, and making leaps of faith in your professional journey. To end, Juhyun speaks about her experience as an Asian American woman in the industry. Check out this incredible episode in the link in bio!

Sep 29, 202050:08
6 - Han - Foundations to Founding

6 - Han - Foundations to Founding

On Episode 6, Han Lien, current Senior Marketing Manager at Ingram Micro, has had no shortage of experiences. He’s worked at Target, Allergan, GKN Aerospace, founded his own company, Morale Agency, and now finds himself at Ingram Micro. Han touches on setting a foundation for his career through his experiences even before college, the work that goes into founding your own company, the incredible value of failure and risk, importance of time and patience, and finding the right journey for yourself. Tune in to hear the full conversation!

Sep 16, 202038:04
5 - Jonathan - Turning Underdogs into Winners

5 - Jonathan - Turning Underdogs into Winners

Jonathan Javier, CEO and founder of Wonsulting, speaks on getting a job without ever applying, focusing on the small details that make a large impression on recruiters and companies, and being adaptable to different skillsets. We also discuss the importance of grit and hope despite all that is working against us in recruiting, and learning from success of others to catapult one’s career.

Aug 31, 202028:13
4 - Andrew - From Singapore to Deloitte US

4 - Andrew - From Singapore to Deloitte US

Episode 4 is out! Andrew Tan, current consultant at Deloitte, discusses pivoting into the consulting world with a background in digital media, his experience as an international student in America, and how he was able to leverage the resources at his fingertips at a non-target school to land a role at McKinsey and Deloitte. We dive deep into a conversation about values beyond professional success, thoughts on traditional notions of prestige and success, and the value of seeking community and mentorship.

Aug 24, 202036:51
3 - Derek - From Microsoft to Marketing Entrepreneur

3 - Derek - From Microsoft to Marketing Entrepreneur

Episode 3 is out! On this episode, Co-founder and CMO of Moneko discusses making the right decisions for yourself based on your passions at different points in your career, pivoting at critical points to continue challenging oneself, and how to inform decisions that involve big career moves. We also bring up authenticity in the workplace, and Derek offers his own perspective on the corporate culture in America.
Aug 10, 202040:12
2 - Robyn - Combining Food & Business

2 - Robyn - Combining Food & Business

In this conversation, Robyn shares her passion for food, how it translated to her experience at Yale, how it became her internship and full-time jobs, and how she has been able to surround herself with those who are as passionate about the food and restaurant industry as she is. She shares her experience as an Asian American woman in corporate America as well as how she was able to find mentors of her own in the fast-paced world of food business and restaurants.
Aug 01, 202035:44
1 - Jerry - Rising Up & Reaching Back

1 - Jerry - Rising Up & Reaching Back

In this episode, we invite Jerry Lee, Sr. Operations Manager at Google and COO of Wonsulting, a professional career consulting organization, to share his story in corporate America. We discuss how he has been able to rise up in the ranks at a fast pace at Google, how he has been able to achieve top performance marks, and how he has navigated a complex corporate and team structure to be successful. Jerry also shares his passion for mentorship and community building through Wonsulting and Subtle Asian Networking and shares his opinion on the value of finding the right mentors who guides, rather than prescribes. Finally, we talk about how he has been able to balance his Asian American identity and corporate culture, and explains that those two are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Listen to find out more.
Jul 25, 202030:32
 0 - Min - Introductions

0 - Min - Introductions

In this short introductory episode, founder and host Min Kwon describes the founding principles of the Upward podcast. He discusses his passion for mentorship and building communities and how he refined these passions to become the bases and foundation of Upward. He speaks on the research that exists about Asian Americans in corporate America, and how he wants to use this platform as a conversation starter to start thinking about a more diverse and inclusive future for corporate and business America.
Jul 18, 202008:19