How My Heritage and Culture Shaped My Journey in a Globalized World

May marks the start of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to commemorate the diverse cultures and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. To celebrate this occasion, I would like to share my personal journey and how my heritage and culture have impacted my success in a globalized world.

I grew up in Shanghai, China, where I studied Computer Science and Telecommunication Information Systems. I started my career developing software for Optical Telecommunications equipment systems before joining Lucent Technology, which marked the beginning of my international experience.

After Lucent was acquired by Jabil in 2003, I found my path by moving from a software development manager to a business manager. Eventually, I returned to the design organization and continued my engineering career.

Throughout my journey, my heritage and Chinese culture have played a significant role in shaping my work ethic and problem-solving mindset. In China, hard work and starting from the bottom are valued, and I spent a year on the manufacturing floor during my education. This experience taught me how technology and design can impact the production line.

The passion for my work instilled in me by my culture has followed me throughout my career. I credit my success to the problem-solving mindset and hardworking attitude developed in China.

Throughout my career, I have gotten the opportunity to work in unique and diverse cultures and locations. As such, I have learned the value of diverse teams. I believe that hiring individuals with diverse strengths and a passion for their work is crucial for success. Similarly, listening to different ideas and opinions is the greatest skill a leader can have.

One of the biggest differentiators at Jabil is our people; I have always felt empowered to share my ideas with leaders and appreciate the ability to be my authentic self. There are moments of recognition from nearly two decades ago that I still carry with me, for being courageous to use my voice to help implement change. These pivotal experiences have shaped the kind of leader I am today and has enabled me to encourage those around me to feel the same.

I always say that not every idea is a good idea, but good ideas can come from anywhere. I believe my journey and experiences showcase the power of heritage, diversity and culture in achieving success in a globalized world. As we celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, let us acknowledge and appreciate the diverse cultures and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.