Stepping off the plane at the Logan Airport in Boston, I carried more than just my luggage. I brought with me the hopes of my family, a mix of excitement and anxiety, with no clear map to guide me. I grew up in a small town in southern China, where college degrees were as rare as snow. My father worked in construction, and my mother moved between restaurant jobs. When that plane ticket landed in my hands, I knew it was my chance to rewrite the script.
When I was in college, I hustled through a patchwork of part-time jobs - sometimes as many as five at once, in order to support myself and save for college expenses. Although it was a chaotic time, I found myself piecing together skills and lessons from every experience I could get my hands on. Each part-time role helped me weave my transferable skills like time management, resilience, and communication into the fabric of my future.
Where I am today is different from the five part-time jobs era. My journey to tech began to shape its form in 2016. It was when I learned about First-Gens in Tech, hosted by HubSpot, for the first time. Although I had no clue what “tech” and “HubSpot” meant, I felt ignited. I saw people with backgrounds like mine not only surviving but thriving in this unfamiliar industry. I couldn’t attend the event due to my school schedule, but I reached out to Josh, the alum who had shared the event. I peppered him with questions about his experience at HubSpot as a first-gen in tech. Hearing his story firsthand made me realize that being first-gen is a superpower. Our conversation planted a seed for me.
After I graduated, I wasn’t happy in my first job out of college and I didn’t see any growth. The seed from 2016 started to sprout. I took a leap of faith to leave the job after only four months, but my doubts were loud. Was it an immature decision for me to make? Should I stay just a little bit longer because I was a fresh grad? However, seeing the “ First-Gens In Tech” event again in my feed reminded me of my strength as a first-gen. Attending the event in person in 2019 was like stepping into a room filled with mirrors. Each reflection showed me a version of myself I hadn’t fully embraced yet. Meeting other first gens who had broken into tech and reconnecting with Josh gave me the final nudge to apply for a role at HubSpot.
Looking back, I realized what helped me navigate my non-linear journey: my support systems. Through them, I learned about the First-Gens in Tech event. They provided me with an opportunity to learn about the industry. They inspired me and gave me the courage to leave my first job out of college where I hadn’t found growth. They showed me the ropes of how to navigate in a corporation. Along the way, I developed a few strategies for building strong support systems:
- Network on your own terms: I’ve learned that forcing myself into large networking events isn’t my style. I would try my best to create one-on-one conversations with the other person I would like to learn more from, whether during the networking event or scheduling a one-on-one chat afterward.
- Make your connections meaningful: The first time I ask someone a favor shouldn’t be the first time I talk to them. When I make a connection with someone, I think about why I want to speak with them, whether it’s because of their story, their work, or their character.
- Maintain relationships: It’s not just about meeting people but staying connected. Small gestures like sharing an article that made you think of them, celebrating your wins with them, or sending them a birthday note, can go a long way.
I’ve worn six different titles in the last 4+ years. None of them were earned through a computer science degree or previous tech experience. I’m proud to work at a tech company that values not just diversity but also the unique experiences that first-gens like me bring to the table. My journey hasn’t been a straight line, and I don’t expect my future to be, but I’m ready for it. For anyone out there who feels like they’re navigating unknown territory, remember this: being first-gen is your superpower. It’s what makes you adaptable, resilient, and capable of achieving more than you ever thought possible.
