Navigating the Workplace with Melecia Munroe

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you had to switch up your accent to fit in with the cultural dynamics of two different Caribbean countries? Today, we have the pleasure of chatting with Melecia Munroe, who was born in Belize and whose mother is from Jamaica, as she shares her unique experiences growing up between these two Caribbean cultures.

Navigating the workplace as a woman of color can be challenging, and Melecia shares her journey of maintaining her identity while tackling issues such as colorism and representation. Through her experiences, we discuss the importance of showcasing diversity in positions of power and how her appearance played a role in some of her opportunities. Melissia recounts a moment when a colleague's comment on her hair made her realize the need to address these issues head-on.

But how do we ensure that all voices are heard in the workplace, regardless of titles or positions? Melecia emphasizes the value of open dialogue and cultivating an environment of genuineness and authenticity. We also touch on the benefits of remote work, the rise of side hustles, and share practical tips to help you align yourself with your desired industry.

Connect with Melecia - Facebook

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:03

Hey everybody, welcome to another episode of Carry On Friends, the Caribbean American podcast. I'm excited to have Melissia today. Melissia, how are you? I am good. thank you Listen. Melissia has a story to tell and she is the first for the podcast. So, melissia, why don't you tell everybody a little bit about who you are, caribbean countries you represent, and then we can talk about the work you do?

Speaker 2: 0:29

Alright. So, as you know, my name is Melissia Monroe. Everyone calls me Mel, so if you ever met me, i'm very personable and I would sell people. Feel comfortable, be yourself, nothing else.

Speaker 2: 0:39

My background I am from Belize, born in Belize, mother's from Jamaica, so growing up I went back and forth between both, so blessed to have a mixture of both cultures. So you can imagine the things I've seen as a child up to even as an adult now, as a mother myself Everything from colorism all the way up to just the dynamics of the workforce for Black people, caribbean people, you name it. If you ever saw me you'd probably where is she really from? You hear all type of accents. You're not sure. I love culture, i love our people, i love our Caribbean people. So my accents tends to mix up a little bit because I have the trainee friends, the Guyanese friend, the St Vincent friend, the Bayesian friend, so I have all of them. But then of course, as a professional, when you're in the workplace, i have a lot of them.

Speaker 2: 1:26

I have to switch it up quite often, even as a New Yorker. I had a presentation Tuesday that I gave and little did I know that behind the scenes, my coworkers, they said Mel, we always know it's you, you don't even have to question. And I'm like why? They said you're such a New Yorker. I'm like what does that mean? They said it's hard to explain, but you have such an accent. So I'm sure the accent they're hearing is a bit of a New Yorker accent, plus the Caribbean all mixed up. So I'm so proud of it. I feel we're such a beautiful people and we have so much to offer, and if you don't know it, i will make sure you know it by the end of this podcast.

Speaker 1: 2:00

Listen, we have whole heap to offer, whole heap, but let's back up a little bit. So, for anyone who isn't aware, belize is a country in Central America, but Belize is part of CARICOM, which is the Caribbean community, and it is generally considered a Caribbean country, even though it's on Central America. So we want to get everybody that history say if you're from Belize, you're one of we. All right, if you didn't know. And then, on top of that, your mom is Jamaican. So, without giving our whole story, tell us how that happened. Did mom she migrate to Belize? What was the story?

Speaker 2: 2:42

So growing up, grandma always makes you rest in peace. Grandma always told mommy see the world. There are things come out of Jamaica. This is a small island. I want you to see and experience different things that maybe I can't give you. She went to Belize I think it was just for school. At one point, my dad they were young, but young enough to concede me and grown enough I came into the picture. She probably was a little afraid to tell grandma because grandma probably said I didn't say you took her, make no picnic, she had me. It was a blessing to her. She said So. She says You know, growing up my mother she's from Southsburg, montego Bay area.

Speaker 1: 3:20

Stop lying, stop lying, stop lying, right dear. So stop Stop lying to me, stop lying, stop lying. Yes, melissa, you know, safe man, you're a cousin, we're going to have things.

Speaker 2: 3:30

Listen, when I met you, i looked at you and I said well, she could be someone from my family.

Speaker 1: 3:35

Do you know why my father's side of family is from Southsburg? I am from Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Speaker 2: 3:42

So I'm a librarian on that Grandma had a shop on a hill. I don't remember the street one, it was on a hill. My grandma's name is Everett Jackson. They used to call her Miss Fanny. So anybody know Everett Jackson. That's my grandmother, again me. She's resting in peace.

Speaker 2: 3:55

She's one of 13 children, so Miss Fanny as she was known, but grandma to me and another mother to me as well, this woman ran a shop. You know she would go to the market with her basket on her head. I mean, i heard all the stories. She would time up at the shop because I would run around too much and she would say you can't run around here because the way the shop was situated. You know I can't run in the street. I would get hit, you know. So grandma would time up at the shop. People would come in and buy the sugar and everything else And they're like who just look at white picnic? You know that was the joke of the town. They said who's this little white picnic at the shop with Miss Fanny? And she said I'm a ground picnic. You know that was a little joke. So growing up that's all I heard This little joke, this little white picnic at the time by the shop.

Speaker 1: 4:34

I am like so blue. It's like after this conversation I'm going to ask my other cousins because I never I remember going to Salt Spring but I never stayed there long enough. But the audience real time, you're hearing my reaction because very few people come from Moby and she specifically said Salt Spring And so it's just like wait, we have to know.

Speaker 2: 4:55

But I was, guys you have to see her face right now to understand how in shock she is. She's like you're like the cousins.

Speaker 1: 5:03

I know, oh my goodness, and I would have to find out, but let's, let's bring it back. But okay, your mom went to Belize, she explores, she finds your daddy And she's like I came on a come And what next, mommy came back to Jamaica.

Speaker 2: 5:18

You know she had to introduce he's a grand picnic, melissia, mommy said. She looked at me like all right, so what next? So you know, old-fashioned grandma way, she said well, go, i have to work. You don't have to help open the shop, you can't sit on here and just mm-hmm. You know so, old school, you'll work hard. Whatever you need, you have to work for it. Like I said, she had a shop. She sold, you know, local foods, sugar. You know it's like a, like a bodega that they call it here. She worked hard.

Speaker 2: 5:48

I never knew someone that could count. Just, you know, like, heard the way her mind works and, of course, using numbers. Like I've never been good at math, it's never been my thing. But to see her in action and when I say see her, i mean as an adult, when I, as I was growing up, just hearing her, just like just throw off numbers and you know, chet, chet, chet, chet, chet, i'm like grandma. Hey, she said listen, masa, listen, we come from my shop. You have to, you have to know these things, you know. So I was always very impressed with grandma and her work ethics And I think that's where my mother got it from. And then that's where I got it from the work My mother did.

Speaker 2: 6:20

She worked at New York life for many years. She's retired now, um, so, big up to mommy put in our something, something years, yeah, i know, but but she put in a good amount of years work on. So I saw everything from her coming up. You know, people used to joke that she was a little stush, but it's not that she was stush, it's just she had standards for herself. Grandma always told her you know, you have to work. You can't sit on and expect things to fall in your lap, even going up. Mommy used to say you know, dress the part you want. And I said like, but mommy, i don't know what part I want. Yet She said, just keep dressing the part that looks professional enough for the work for them to then recognize you and then continue from there. We'll take it from there, um, but just seeing her journey.

Speaker 2: 6:57

So when she came into the country she worked in a factory in administrative role. That's why they used to call her stush. Then she went to school to try to get some type of a development, you know, typing courses and things like that. Back then They didn't have certain degrees It was more like certifications and such Mommy worked her way into I forgot name of the company but eventually evolved into New York life, what it is today.

Speaker 2: 7:18

You know, i saw her journey in the sense of again being the only black female in a lot of the roles. Or she worked alongside perhaps Caucasian colleagues who were kind enough and saw her, her skills and her strength and helped her build on it. And of course I'm sure sometimes she didn't get the credit where deserved. I've heard stories But sometimes the people that you need to see your skills they may not be there yet because they're they're not looking at everything yet The bigger picture. But then you have, let's say, new executives, new people come into the business or new people who take over. Now they're looking and evaluating Who do we keep and who do we let go, because now we're restructuring. She was not let go.

Speaker 2: 7:55

Someone put an award and said you need to keep that one. Her name was Carmen and it was actually Carmenita, so that's another thing. So Carmenita, that that name sounds very Hispanic. She's not Hispanic right at all. Mommy is pure Jamaican. So when they heard the name sometimes they would you know again the conversation of what are you That you know? but it's black woman, you know I'm going up. She had that. She rocked her afro. I saw pictures. Mommy was a little hotty-hotty-hotty, you know, um beautiful woman. I was told by my man said mommy, you're beautiful, you know. So she was my rock. She's always my idol, so to speak, and she still is. Even as a retired woman She still is.

Speaker 2: 8:28

But yeah, coming into workforce She moved up, she worked her way up and a lot of times the position she kept developing into and I noticed it. I said, mommy, they keep throwing you into like the most worse offices to fix and and develop and to kind of rebuild. And I noticed, i think for her It was probably that leadership quality she always had and She was big on development and training and I noticed I picked up on those skills as well and I do it today. Sometimes don't even realize it, but for her she kept getting thrusted where she was developing and coaching. She's always been fair and that's one thing I think I was respected. She was always fair in the workplace. She always tried to have a diverse population. I was told her myself.

Speaker 2: 9:06

I said, mommy, you have to be careful, don't have everyone that looks like you and talks like you as a part of your department, because now everyone's going to think That's all that you're supporting. You want to be fair to the Organization and so that they see that you are a fair Counterpart and that this is not just, you know, a black thing for you, because a lot of times in the workplace What will happen? You know we want what's best for our community and our people, but we have to show that we're fair across the board so that when we're given certain positions and roles and tasks, they can always say you know what most strong about her culture and who she is, but She will make sure everyone gets a fair chance. She'll give the same time she gives to you versus you and you and you You know so. I always told her that. So it's just interesting to see her journey and to see the things I like to do because I pulled from her also.

Speaker 1: 9:57

That's an amazing story and the mirroring of you and your mom in different ways. So let's not leave the audience and any other suspense or figure out okay, so what should you do? So let's tell the audience exactly the work you do.

Speaker 2: 10:12

Yeah, so I am an HR professional. The area of HR that I focus the most on is recruitment. I've been in HR wow Since I'll probably say 20 years now. I fell into HR totally by accident. I graduated from St John's. I was my undergrad bachelor's in communications.

Speaker 2: 10:28

Back then I thought I wanted to be a news reporter. This is Melissa Cummings-E-Live from Channel 12 News. We are on site in South Spring, montego Bay area at Miss Spiney Shelf. So that's what I thought I wanted to be, because in my mind at the time it was my way to get information out. I felt like I was that middleman to provide clarity, genuine information and authenticity. I should say I was shy growing up, but as I got older I really came into my own and realized I have a voice and I need to use it and I can use it. So for me, journalism at one point and writing was my way to provide that type of skill. I was an intern at what is that called? Court TV at one point. It was okay, a little boring wasn't for me, but made my requirements. It's okay. Thank you, court TV. Thank you, i passed the class And then I'm working at WCBS 880 AM.

Speaker 2: 11:21

I was a sales assistant working at the front desk And I bring that area up because it was my first job out of St John's Being there. And I'm gonna touch on colorism because, being a woman of color but high yellow, so to speak, in the workplace there were three of us, myself, a colleague of mine who was also from Jamaica, and I forgot who the other person was, but you could notice certain things on the floor. There were not many of us. The sales assistants were minorities. We were all women of color on that floor. Anyone who was in a position of power were Caucasian, male and a few females, very few. So those that were a handful, those are the ones I respected. I kind of stayed, i kept my eye on them, i wanted to see how they moved and what they did and what they didn't do. Then the guys behind me. They were men, majority of them were men. I sat at the front desk and behind me were a bunch of men who were in a sales position where they were selling sales ads for WCBS 880 AM. So it was a hustle. They were all hustling to make money because it was very commission-based. Also, there was one black gentleman, one black female and those were the only two on the floor that were in those positions, you know.

Speaker 2: 12:28

Of course, to some degree I tried to be like you need anything, i got you, you need anything, you know. So I felt like I was always looking out for us in a weird way, never obvious where it would send a signal, but enough that my peers who were one of us, so to speak, they knew that I had their back or I could help them If I saw something. Oh hey, i saw an article. Yeah, check this out. I've always had that in me. But also in the workplace I noticed something.

Speaker 2: 12:52

I tend to wear my hair back in a bun or a ponytail Back then I wore it straight. You know, flat iron, you know you're learning your hair Also. I was still in that phase. I was young, i was probably like 21. I would wear my hair flat iron sometimes and the way my hair is made up, it's very curly and it can frizz up real quick. So straight look don't work for me too much, unless it's in the fall or winter. So anyone who can relate, you know what I'm talking about.

Speaker 2: 13:14

So, working in the office Monday through Thursday, there was a certain look. Friday I found myself relaxing a little bit, but I did it gradually and the reason why is because of the nature of the place I was in my audience. I mean, hillary Clinton walks up on the floor. She walked up on the floor to the radio station. I always knew that I had to represent myself in a way that any opportunity that could come my way, I had to be ready, and I don't know what, when or how that could occur, and my look played a part in that. I was conscious of that, because I saw certain things that I didn't like, just in the workplace in general. So I felt like I hate to say something. I felt like I'm Martin Luther King, like I'm always the one speaking up for the underdog, and if I could be that voice, i felt like Meld use it, because if they don't listen to them, they can listen to you. So Friday came and I bring this up for a reason, because I touch on it a lot at workshops and just one-on-one conversation with our community One my hair out.

Speaker 2: 14:10

On a Friday. I was on the bus coming down on Fifth Avenue to WCBS 880 AM, had my hair out curly, kinky, curl, poofy, as ever. Okay, on the bus. I recall the lady that I had one of the most respectful, a very short woman. The short woman are feisty, any short woman, you see she's feisty trust. So she was an exec in the office And I remember her being on the bus.

Speaker 2: 14:33

I remember her kind of like say Meld, use it, say Meld, use it. We get in the office. Now I'm at my desk putting my stuff away and she made a comment. But before I said I remember she used to say her and a colleague, oh, she dresses so nice. I just felt it was odd the way they sometimes they would say it, and I know they didn't need it intentionally to be rude, i think it was just perception of us as a people.

Speaker 2: 14:55

But now, coming into office with my hair curly it wasn't straight, wasn't neat to the standards that I was presenting for quite some time Well, my hair out curly, and she literally said to me at my desk, leaning over, she said you know, i like your hair the other way And I remember how it hit me so hard like I almost cried because I'm like, wow, like, does she now understand that this is who I am and this is a big part of me And you know my hair is such a representation of me And what she did is it proved exactly why I don't do it at work. Why did not wear my hair like that at work? Because she said something about my hair as if it was a problem. Why is my hair a conversation for you? Why is it a problem? You know? why was straight supposed to be a nice look, while the kinky curl or whatever you want to call it my poofy curls? you didn't like it. I didn't ask her opinion. Why would you bring it up in the first place? Why I was baffled by it. I mean went to the bathroom.

Speaker 2: 15:51

I had to like really get my thoughts together because I was furious that this woman that I didn't respect kind of like stepped out of a box that I did not expect her to. But I had a conversation with her and I told her. I said it was offensive. She said something to me because I told her. I said do you know? I'm black right And literally at 21,. I had to say this to a coworker and a white colleague. You know it was just weird conversations because it wasn't something. Mommy and I grew up in the house So we didn't talk about color like that. It was just black, black, black, you know. It wasn't something that I had the conversation or needed to have, much you know, but to see it so in my face. So that's why I say colorism is so real, it's so deep. Each of us has it in different conversations, experiences, in different ways. So for me that was my wake-up call.

Speaker 2: 16:34

So in her office, i told her, i said I was offended. I said this is why I don't wear my hair like this. I said I'm black, you know that right. And I said it twice because I wanted her to understand what you know. I don't know who she thought I was, where I was from, i don't know. She said I'm so sorry, mel, and she generally felt bad and I didn't want to make it worse for her. But I needed her to understand you have to know your audience. The same way you make that money and the same way you watch your words and you watch how you put something in a contract in your particular is the same respect I deserve. And I told her, i said I was offended And I said I was very hurt because I respect you as a woman here in this office.

Speaker 2: 17:12

And then she told me about a friend she had who was half black, half white And I said I said, can I see a picture of your friend? She showed me the picture and I looked at the picture and I told her. I said when I look at your friend, i said from a distance anyone would see that she's. She looks more Caucasian than I may look Caucasian to someone. I don't look Caucasian to most people. I look, maybe you know, half black, half white Spanish. Yeah, you know. So I'm used to it.

Speaker 2: 17:34

But when I saw her friend, i said you know your friend could pass as a Caucasian And I said I hope you understand that you might have said something, because you said it to me as a coworker here. You might have said something to her in the past and she didn't bring it up or she knows your position. So she may wear her hair a certain way, she may do things a certain way because she wants to assimilate with you your stature, your background. So I just say as your friend, because I saw her as a friend, as a colleague and a friend, i said be mindful of what you say and maybe have a conversation, asked if you've ever offended her, because it goes very deep. You know, as I told her, i said as you can see, there's very few women in this office in these type of high level roles, so you sing my hair. You prefer the other way was very hurtful to me. So that was my slap in the face in a wake up call And I never forgot it, never, ever And I never will.

Speaker 1: 18:23

I love that you told the career history because a lot of times you know, people just talk about how they land at a particular job, but most of us we got you a whole slew of jobs unrelated to our jobs Well, in theory unrelated but you learn skills that bring us here.

Speaker 1: 18:41

So two things, and I think most black folks will experience this right At my job, you know I'll talk to my black colleagues, but the senior black coworkers, the one who are in higher position, is almost like good morning.

Speaker 1: 18:58

When you sit in the middle it's kind of do an eye, nod our head. It's almost like you're afraid to like to talk to them, not because they don't want to talk to you, but you're afraid it might seem like on a congregating too much and having too much of a conversation, i think, where a lot of us feel comfortable talking with the staff on or level. But once you're getting up high in the senior levels, you're almost like hello, i'm passing the hallway, i'm just going to be careful and keep it to hello, but almost like It's a double-edged sword because in a way for us to grow we need to nurture. You know, particularly black executives have to figure out how to mentor. You know other, but it's almost like we feel like if we do it it might feel like it's favoritism, but there is a cultural context and some nuances there that they could do. So tell me your thoughts around this.

Speaker 2: 19:49

You know it's a great question. I always tell people like, as I've gotten older, i am not faced by titles anymore. It was a time I was So that same exact that you might be afraid to Like we had someone new that started. He's an exact level, you know, higher up general manager. I always tell people, remember, even like an interview, talk to people as if you're having a general conversation. Forget about the title, throw all that title stuff out the window and have a conversation. You, passing by that office, if that exact did something or you saw something. Hey, hey, jason, i noticed you sent that email out. I thought that was interesting.

Speaker 2: 20:23

I was like, you know, make a casual conversation, make it casual and not so formal that it takes away from the genuineness of your contributions or what you could be saying to him, because he might literally want to get closer to the team who's on the lower level, because what tends to happen is when you're in the high level, there's a fear that you can't get close to the those in those lower levels because it's almost like it's taboo or you know. But the people who are in the higher levels, who have that genuineness and that authenticity where they're able to talk to anyone from different levels below. You get more out of your team, you get more out of your staff and they want to give more now because they're like he's cool. Jason's cool, he says good morning all the time. I was at the bus stop and it was raining. He gave me a ride to the train state. You know what I mean. So, with respect, of course, because obviously it's a work environment, but at least let them know that you're seeing their work too, because you want to give props to where do So. Jason did something and you're like Jason.

Speaker 2: 21:20

I saw that email. That was really cool. I was like I'm going to do that because I've been thinking about that, but I was been wondering when are we going to do this? because I could see where this could really help us. Because even in my role, you know what I'm saying By you having that dialogue. You'll be surprised when that dialogue takes you, because what you didn't realize is that simple dialogue now opens up a door for him to be like oh, i remember talking to such and such.

Speaker 2: 21:43

She brought up a real good point. I'm going to see if she wants to join this meeting. Do you understand what I'm saying You just now opened up a door that you didn't even know was possible. But again, that's why I say to people love what you do and it doesn't feel like work. I love networking. The only problem with networking is sometimes people see it as salesmanship and I need a consistent salary. I can't do it with commission work. That's not my life. And not knocking anyone, if I was in my younger days, in my early 20s, i would do commission, had I had the skills then. But I did it. I was so young and so nurturing who I was, my insecurities, even my hair.

Speaker 1: 22:20

I was just like.

Speaker 2: 22:21

I'm in and over for this. I'm in and over for my hair. Little things like that. They affect, especially as women. We are so big on our hair. Our hair can affect us going out, us staying in, us going to a function, us not going to a function, us reserving a seat the day before versus a two, three a month. It's so relevant And I feel like our community. We have different battles that people just don't understand. So that's why, when people go through things, i always try to say you know what? there might be something behind that. Let me not push, i'm going to give them their time When they're ready. I'm just going to be ready to welcome them with open arms.

Speaker 1: 22:57

On the flip side of that. what about black employees? Like you said, there's just a handful of y'all in there, So you can't really do a head nod walking by. What is your idea? thoughts around surviving a workplace where there's not many?

Speaker 2: 23:14

I don't have the perfect answer for that because I see it, often There's not many of us. So I feel like, when there's not many of us, don't be afraid to embrace it. Meaning in the. Embrace it in the sense of there's two things. One you know some companies have a. You know they want to have a I forgot the term I'm looking for. It's right on the tip of my tongue Token Token, yeah, so to speak.

Speaker 2: 23:36

Sometimes, if you are that token hire because they're trying to be coders for the business and to show you know we're about diversity, you might want to ride that wave until it falls off, because you might want to use that opportunity to now get ideas out there. Push this program, push that you can do this, push that you have this skill, or push that now you know you'd like to move into another role and you have an idea that you'd like to present and would love to be considered for this type of a role, because sometimes they don't know what they need until the talent is in front of them. So you come there. Sometimes your talent is being developed, but now that you have it and now you put it all together and put in this nice box, you present it so that they see the value that they have in you that they didn't even know they could make use of it. So you have to be your own salesman. You are your best advocate And if you don't know it, you'll have to find a way to know it. Learn the things that give you joy.

Speaker 2: 24:27

Develop things like Excel is not my skill set. I don't love it. I'm not a creative spreadsheet formulas I'm a hot mess. Numbers scare me. They really do. So I literally put that in my goals recently for my performance review. I said I want to learn more, you know, get more confident and not be so nervous with Excel. I said yeah. She said no problem. She said Mel Google. I said I know, i said but it still scares me, you know it's. She's like Google University hello, you know.

Speaker 2: 24:53

So another point I want to bring out some in work environments will cause you to pin yourself against each other. They may like this one versus you and then they try to, you know, give all the work to this one versus you who has really all the skills, but they like this one, this other person who doesn't have as much skills. So what I've done is I've seen it where they might give me something because they like me And I'm like Janet back here, she's really good. You should give us a her.

Speaker 2: 25:18

I put the ball in their park and I let them know, like I'm okay to say what I don't know, i'm okay to say my skill set is not that, but I can do such and such, but Janet, janet's real good at that. You should really, you know, consider her. I've been working with her. I give that proper do, but you have to be willing to do that And I find that our community doesn't always do it, because there's a few of us we're scared to say that we can't do something, or scared to, you know, rally with each other. It's kind of like like we're competing. You don't need to lose Or loose position, right?

Speaker 1: 25:47

Yeah.

Speaker 2: 25:48

I'm not competing with. I'm a single mom. I'm not competing with another single mom and throw her under the bus. I'm not doing it, i never will, i never have, i never will. We might even talk about it Like I work with some single moms. We talk about our struggles and you know frustrations all the time And if I see something, i say hey, hey, fyi, i did this. Why don't you try that? You know. So I just feel like you have to learn to share information and not be selfish, because that selfish quality it's a root of some serious evil stuff And it really can mess you up in the workplace, because when you start to not share information, people see it eventually and they start to not want to work with you also.

Speaker 1: 26:26

Listen, as my grandmother said, whatever you saw, you may not reap it, but your pitney, your pitney-pitney will definitely reap it. So it's one of those things.

Speaker 2: 26:38

I believe in karma. Big time, big, big, big time. You know I try to treat people the way I want. You know, listen, i'm not perfect. I have my selfish qualities. I love my food. Don't touch my food, you know. So I try to be nice. All right, i'm going to give you a piece of the chicken wing, all right, here, you know. I just say.

Speaker 2: 26:55

Let's just say I know where I need to work, but I just think a lot of people need to know where do you need to work on? You really need to look in the mirror, like, really look in the mirror. Where is your life going wrong? If you keep seeing some certain patterns and I've done it myself and I'm like all right, step back, mel There's a reason why you keep hitting that robot. You keep taking the same steps.

Speaker 2: 27:15

Step back, do something different, associate yourself with different people. I think again, as a people, we have a habit. We like to associate ourselves with people who look like us, talk like us. I saw a group of friends once and I was like y'all all look alike, you look alike, your dress are like I said. So who's really elevating who here?

Speaker 2: 27:32

Or who's really stepping out the box to say listen, i know you like to do such and such and look like this, but we don't need to all look alike, we don't. So just be an authentic self. You know, i'll never be anything other than me, because I can't be something that I'm not, because eventually it's going to crumble and you're going to say wait a minute, wait a minute. You've been showing me this all of a sudden. I didn't know you had that accent, i didn't know you were black. I know you're going to know from the beginning. You're going to know from the beginning, with pride, with respect. You know all that. But I just say that to say just be your authentic self and find your skills, find the areas that make you happy, that bring you joy. That's it.

Speaker 1: 28:12

All right. So what's happening in the world of HR?

Speaker 2: 28:17

Generally speaking, i know because of COVID, everyone has different battles and different stories from it. I truly feel COVID and I don't want to get too pre-sure, too special but I do believe in a higher power and God, because a lot of stuff I can't do without him, obviously. But I do feel like COVID was like a blessing, but at least for me it was a blessing in disguise. It taught me to slow down, pace myself, really think about things, you know, enjoy things and just not take things for granted. I was doing work on my home. It gave me time to do things in the home One time at my son, because the hustle and bustle gets crazy. But with regards to the workforce, covid slowed so much down for so many industries. But now that the world has opened back up, you're finding a lot of people are working from home.

Speaker 2: 29:04

I work remotely. The industry has allowed people to have a work-life balance. Companies and industries realize that number one they could save money because you don't have to be an office to be effective and they're saving on overhead costs. They don't have to have a building for certain things or they don't need to have a space that takes up this much time anymore. Now they can save money because people can work remote. You and I are doing a podcast right now. It's still effective.

Speaker 2: 29:30

It is not for everyone. I'm going to be honest, though Remote work is not for everyone. I did a bit of it when I was at Dollar Tree, a little bit here and there. On occasion, i could possibly work at the store or at home, whatever, and then where I am now working for a company where I staff the airport, for mechanics, engineers and so forth, i say that to say it's been a blessing. But if you're someone who knows how to manage their time and can be self-motivated, remote work is the best. If you are someone that literally needs someone to tell you what to do, or someone that needs that routine, or you know, listen we have text.

Speaker 2: 30:05

I may not be in an office setting. We text every darn day. We talk, we have group chats, we could even call each other like this. We have teams. That's what technology has done. It has allowed us to have the functionality as if we were in an office.

Speaker 2: 30:18

Through technology, technology is booming. So because of COVID, it is allowed for industries like the technology industry to be more effective, more creative outsourcing for different services, because now COVID has created it where people are remote working. So certain technologies needed A lot of times. also, now, when I'm noticing people are switching industries, it's allowing you to have a side hustle. If you didn't have a side hustle before, covid pushed it for her to do a side hustle Because at one point I was furloughed, which means the company says we can't keep you on right now, but we're going to bring you back eventually You just don't know when. So that was a scary place for me. I had mortgage, i had a son to take care of, but you know, between savings and Uncle Sam and their money they were giving out. Everything worked out. So again, always have a cushion.

Speaker 1: 31:06

So yeah, i mean we are seeing all this movement in the market, especially after COVID And I think with all the changes in the economy, there's so many things we could talk about. but we have to low key, prepare and ready with self. So what's one, two tips you have for people to say? you know what, if you're thinking about a career move, you want to make a move, start this little little.

Speaker 2: 31:32

I would have to say start aligning yourself with people who are in the industry that you're interested in, industry or whatever it may be. Use social media. There's all these hashtags, hashtags, hashtag of business, and watch all these things pop up. Google certain companies, you know, right now some people want pension. If that's the case, find a company has pension to put them. City jobs, mta, lir, you know. Do your research, even in your email system, your personal email. Do an email blast of every contact in your email and you send to them. Do a blind copy. Don't put everybody where everyone can see. Do to yourself and then the BCCCC, everybody that you have, copy paste, copy paste. Whatever You email you say afternoon everyone. Help all as well. Hope your summer's doing great. Enjoy.

Speaker 2: 32:15

I go to fair time thing. You know, however you want to position it, however your audience is, make it pleasant. Make sure you show your care about their wellbeing before you ask them for a favor. Did you do a quick introduction? like I said and you say, listen, i'm looking to transition into the media industry but I would love a contact. If anyone has any contacts or opportunities where I can connect with such and such, please send them my way or feel free to email me. I would love to touch base with some great people who have the insights to offer, because I have something to bring. I just don't know how to go about it and I need the right people to help me get there. And you'd be surprised how your friends have contacts that you're just like why did you tell me you know this lady? Oh, why did you tell me she works at such and such? So you send an email and you know you thank them and you'd be surprised the feedback you might get.

Speaker 2: 33:03

And then the second thing I'd have to say is you have to get your mind right. I am not big on associating with people who have this like negative energy or aura or self-destruction or you know, kind of always feel like well, it's because of how I grew up. We've all had some battles, trust me, some larger than others. But you can't live in it for long. You'll forever be in this box and you can't get yourself out because everything that happens, you play the victim, you become a victim. You cannot be a victim forever. You can't because then you'll never be able to get out of that box And, unfortunately, the friendships you have, the colleagues, the way you work, it will be affected, because now the way you communicate with everyone will be as if you don't know how to hold yourself accountable for your actions. It's not a good place to be in, because now people don't know that if they refer you and if it doesn't work out, and if you don't do well, you're not going to hold yourself accountable for it not working out. You're going to blame the next party.

Speaker 2: 33:56

And remember when people refer you, you have to remember Carrie referred me, malicia referred me. I can't. That's my reputation. I've got my name and keep in mind too. If for some reason, they don't do well, remember too. You didn't do those things, they did it. So they messed up that part. You did your part. Don't feel too bad. But again, your name is everything. You are your brand.

Speaker 2: 34:18

So if I refer someone, they're going to say, oh, i got to call this person because Mel will refer people. So hold that close. I'm going to call this person, i'm going to call this person, i'm going to call this person. But I'll say those two things get your mind right. You know, stay positive. If it doesn't work out sometimes It's just not your time. I've always said that if something did not work out for me friend, friends, relationship, families, some anything work is probably because you know what. I probably need to go through something else before I get to this step and I need to just fall back, Keep doing what I'm doing The right people are seeing.

Speaker 2: 34:48

Create a folder for your, even at work. Create a folder for yourself Where you get accolades or someone says no, thank you for this, or carry Thank you, i noticed you buh-buh-buh-buh. Keep those folders. You want to know why, cuz, when performance review comes around, you're not gonna remember all them things to put in your review. You don't remember that and neither are they. They're not. They're gonna remember the last three to six, not even six months. They're gonna remember the last three months or maybe even just a month. They're not gonna remember those things and how you you know you increase this, you created this or you did. They're not gonna remember as much. So you have to be your advocate and you have to put it on paper. Create a folder and do your bullet points. I'm bigger bullet points. Why should I get that raise? or why should I be considered? Or why should I not do such and such well? because bullet one, bullet two, bullet three and so forth. Once you plot it out like that, they cannot say that you do not have your together. Excuse my language.

Speaker 1: 35:37

You're talking my language. I create a sub folder. I drag everything into the sub folder. But I think these are great advice is just really practical. and right before I jumped on this recording, i was talking to a friend of mine and she's like at the end of the day is a tried and true. A lot of times We keep looking for a brand new, exciting idea, but it's It's just the tried and true things that work and we just have to keep at it.

Speaker 2: 36:03

It's funny you said that because I remember the event I met you. You know somebody said that you might be told no So many times. No, no, no, no. All you're presenting all your ideas But you feel strongly about them. You need to hold on to that because that passion and that drive, someone's gonna see it and think they're bound to love it.

Speaker 2: 36:20

But the nose that you've been getting sometimes those knows are you'd be surprised or for people who feel threatened by those passion, it can be threatening, it could be Doesn't fit our brand, or it doesn't fit the culture, or You're too different, you know. But who said different was a problem? Why is different a problem? You know. So those knows, let those knows drive you. And it's okay to get the nose, just don't stop, because if you stop at the first, no, it's. You don't truly have the passion. If you're gonna allow that in one notice to stop you, then that means like that drive and that passion, they're really what you is, really there. You need to find something where they tell you know all the time and you're still pushing, you're still pushing, and then when you get To the goal you need to get, and they and all the all the nose behind you. They look this is shit man. I should have called Mel assignment busy. No, i'm too busy, i won't call you back. Oh My goodness, mel, why don't?

Speaker 1: 37:08

you tell everybody where they could find you on the internet. There's a company I created, or LL say. I guess you could say on the palm networking human resources services.

Speaker 2: 37:17

I am on Instagram and I am on Facebook, so you can look for the power of networking and you'll see a logo. That's the world. It's a blue world, but it should say the power of networking human resources services. My phone number is on it. I'm okay to give my phone number out 347 4209189, and my email, melicia M e, l e c i, a, monroe M, you and ROE at hotmailcom. So any questions or tips I do council sessions as well. Feel free to email me. Thank you for that and, as I love to say at the end of the show, walk good.

Speaker 1: 37:50

But you know, walk fire, because we're gonna find out if we are really. Really it did some we are. So All right, everyone, take care until next time.