Staff Scientist, Life Science Industry | Keynote Speaker | Board member | Nonprofit Leader | Mentor | Advocate for Women & First-generation Low-Income Students in STEM
If you had told me four years ago, that I would be leading a mentorship program focused on the professional advancement of Asian Americans I wouldn’t have believed you. Throughout my education, I experienced moments where I felt like I didn’t deserve support because I was Asian. Asians are successful, I was told. You aren’t underrepresented. You’re the model minority and are doing fine! Why would we need programs specific to supporting Asian Americans? I internalized this feedback and felt guilty asking for help because I thought I was taking away resources from those who needed it more. So I kept my head down, worked hard, and purposely didn’t lean into my Asian American identity because I didn’t want to be judged. Then COVID came in 2020 and everything changed. I remember to my horror seeing members of our Asian American community being attacked verbally and physically. A neighbor questioned where I was born and what my ties were to China. I was scared for myself and my family of the potential harm that would come our way. But amidst the fear, I saw for the first time Asian Americans speaking up and fighting back. This led me to start questioning the model minority myth and how the Asian American part of my identity affected my professional development and sense of belonging. I serendipitously learned about the MJAA Mentorship Program, the flagship program of Monte Jade West Science & Technology Association through the Asian Leaders Alliance. I joined the mentorship program as someone who struggled with never feeling Asian enough or American enough throughout my life. The program provided a safe space to explore and see how I can bring the best of both sides of me into how I show up in all the different areas of my personal and professional life. No longer do I see myself as being deficient. Rather, I acknowledge the beautiful opportunity I have to be a bridge between the Eastern and Western cultures. After going through the program virtually, I am excited to be chairing this year’s program working with a phenomenal team of volunteers to bring about a fully in-person experience in the Bay Area. While the pandemic allowed us to see the value of virtual participation, I think we can all agree that nothing can truly replace the depth of relationships we develop when we connect in person. That is why this year, my vision is to deepen connections through in-person interactions for our personal and professional growth. Thank you for the great support of the Monte Jade West Board of Directors, several of whom I had the privilege of meeting in person yesterday at a fun happy hour to foster deeper connections between the mentorship program team and the Board. I am proud to work with passionate, caring, and committed individuals to create an inclusive and welcoming community for emerging Asian American leaders to grow. Want to join us? See comments for more information about the mentorship program!
Had a great time getting to know current and past MJW Board members along with members of the MJAA Mentorship Leadership Team! Nana Tseng, Kai Chen, Tze Yeoh, Steve Hsia, Helen Hsieh, Robert Fan, Peter Chu, David Jeng, Gloria Tang, Hao Zheng, Lyman Yip, CPA, FPAC. I appreciate that many of the board members serve as mentors and teachers for the program.
Excellent work, Julie Huang, PhD. I’d love to be involved.
As always, beautifully captured, Julie. You’re more than enough! Can’t wait to see where you take this in person experience. I know it’s going to be fantastic.
Thank you for sharing your experience, Julie.
Ewa Ding
4w
awesome work, Julie!
Absolutely love this Julie!
Staff Scientist, Life Science Industry | Keynote Speaker | Board member | Nonprofit Leader | Mentor | Advocate for Women & First-generation Low-Income Students in STEM
4wInterested in being part of the program? Admissions are on a rolling basis and tomorrow is our early admissions deadline for early bird pricing https://mjaamentorship.org/program/#apply