Your unique background can be one of your biggest assets as a professional, giving you a different perspective and approach to problem solving from your peers. The key is knowing how to tap into this power in the workplace — and showcase it during your job search.
One person who knows all about this is Odalys Jasmine, a project manager for emerging talent at LinkedIn and host of the Hella Latin@ Podcast and the LinkedIn Audio Series Hella First Gen. We caught up with Odalys to find out how telling her story has helped her land opportunities throughout her career — and what advice she’d share with other professionals hoping to do the same.
Who is Odalys Jasmine and how do you communicate your story to potential employers?
I grew up in Southeast San Diego surrounded by my huge Honduran family. I was the type of kid who had a lot of different interests, but one thing was very apparent to me — I loved stories. Specifically, I loved listening to my loud (and animated) familia have their “adult conversations.” It's no surprise that I’m now a podcast host and content creator who’s all about amplifying first generation and Latino narratives.
But at the end of the day, my career story is rooted in being that Latina girl born and raised in the hood, in a family of Hondureños.
When I'm communicating my story to potential employers, I can go on for days about my years of project management experience or my refined content and events skill set. But at the end of the day, my career story is rooted in being that Latina girl born and raised in the hood, in a family of Hondureños. The hood taught me to be creative and resourceful with what I had. Community taught me how to create welcoming and inclusive experiences. And my family taught me what it’s like to make space for our voices and tell stories that make us feel something.