Building a Career You Love While Owning Your Identities with Julissa Arrington | As Told By Nomads

On this episode of the As Told by Nomads podcast, Tayo is joined by Julissa Arrington, a fashion designer born in Oakland, California, and raised in Houston, Texas. She has a fine arts degree from San Francisco Art Institute, and her designs are inspired by architecture, structural lines, unconventional materials, and fabrics. Julia is not only a dynamic designer but is also Afro-Colombian and an Afro-Latina in tech.
Julissa discusses the possibility of working a 9 to 5 job while pursuing your dreams. She starts by explaining why she considers herself Afro-Latina, what attracted her to the fashion and technology industries, and how her career has developed. She also discusses the importance of inclusion, equity, and diversity in the tech sector. According to Julissa, if you put your all into what you have and truly take pleasure in it, it will take you to places you never would have thought possible. If you have ever experienced work-related dissatisfaction, you will be inspired by Julissa's wisdom.
The Finer Details of This Episode:
Why Julissa identifies as an Afro-Latina in tech


What drew Julissa to the fashion and tech industries


What the tech industry can be to be more inclusive


Words of wisdom to those who are unfulfilled at work


Julissa's career journey


Mental health and coping mechanisms


How women can embrace their individuality today


How Julissa uses her difference to make a difference
Quotes:
"I learned that I can't do it all... I realize sometimes it actually hurts you more by doing everything yourself."
"I'm not saying hire someone just because they're a minority. I do believe in hiring talent, especially in tech, but you also have to place yourself in positions to hire and allow those people to know who you are."
"When we try to have a strict plan, and it doesn't go to plan, that's when we start getting frustrated. I feel like we should have a vision of what we want to work towards, but be like water a bit and try to adjust to what's going on."
"Where I am at right now is not what I envisioned for my life. I didn't envision working at a tech company for four years and now being an operations manager. I just was always a hard worker at whatever I did. I think that's what got me here because I was dedicated to whatever job I had."
"If you do your best at what you have and you really take it with pride, it will lead you to other places that you couldn't imagine. I feel it takes you taking pride in your job in whatever it is and moving forward."
"It's okay to feel the pain, feel the frustrations, let it out. It's normal. And I think that it is scary to be unapologetic."
"Sometimes we glamorize the struggle in artists, and it doesn't always have to be like that."
Links:
Connect with Julissa Arrington:

Connect with Tayo Rockson and the As Told By Nomads Podcast:

#Julissaarrington
#tayorockson
#afrolatina
#latinaintech

[cameomoore]

I love how Julissa talks about the importance of being flexible. I think sometimes we have this idea that if it doesn’t go exactly how we want it must not be right. Flowing like water is a great way to put it. Sort of like going with the flow of the universe. Awesome interview! As always, love your content Tayo! 💚