44: The power of networking for POC & First Gens

As a person of color (POC) and/or first-generation professional, your family’s culture and background likely influenced your beliefs, which can now impact your making a career change.

Dani Tan is a leadership and career coach, who works with POC and First Gens who are often the first, few or only in their space. Dani reveals how the scarcity mindset from our parents can affect our career choices. And she shares how the power of networking can reset our thinking. 

Dani, who is Asian Latina and first generation, also teaches us how to let go of some career lessons we learned as kids. And, we tackle guilt, that overwhelming feeling that can keep POC and First Gens from making a career switch. 

Episode Highlights:

• Common career-change fears for POC and First Gens
• How the scarcity mindset of your parents affects your career choices
• Why networking is especially important for POC and first-generation professionals
• Building a community of role models, mentors, sponsors and allies
• How networking can quiet the fears of making a career change
• Highlight Reel and Words of Empowerment exercises to tackle self-doubt
• Connecting with other POC and first-gen professionals
• Dealing with guilt about wanting to change careers
• Releasing “survival mode” to find a new career that'll make you happy
• Highlighting those skills that make you special as a POC and First Gen
• Letting go of the “put your head down and just work hard” mentality

Find Dani Tan at:
Website: https://www.danitan.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dani-tan/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danitani/
Podcast: The Pivot and Promotion Podcast

LinkedIn Groups for POC:

Latina Professionals

Latino Professionals

National Association of Asian American Professionals

Asian American Professionals and Leaders Network

The Black Professionals Network

Black Leaders Worldwide

Resources:
National Career Development Association: Understanding the Needs of First-Generation Professionals 

Music credit: TimMoor from Pixabay

Podcast info:
What's your career switch? What do you think about this episode and the show? Tell us at careerswitchpod.com. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.