This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Nicole Wen, 25, who works at AT&T. It has been edited for length and clarity.
My dad got a job at AT&T more than 26 years ago. After college, he told me about the company’s amazing internship programs. I ended up doing three summer internships there throughout college, so that’s how I got my foot in the door with the company.
Today, we’re both at AT&T. He is in a leadership position within sales, and I am a principal project program manager.
When I first started my full-time job about two years ago, I was living in a townhouse super close to my dad’s house, so we would carpool together every day for an hour each way. The most time I’ve ever spent with him was in those car rides, and it was very special because we learned so much about each other.
My dad moved to America from Taiwan when he was 14 years old. He had to learn English, went to high school in California, and then to college in New York, where he met my mom. He then started working with a company that eventually became part of the AT&T family.
During those car rides, he also shared a lot of life advice with me.
The importance of having a good circle
The more I got to know my dad, the more I realized he’s a pretty cool guy. I learned he has more friends than I do. He’s part of several social groups, like a Porsche club and a coffee club. He even writes a newsletter for a car club.
You would think I would know everything about him since he is my father, but no, I never knew any of this about my dad. He’s just got so much going on outside work.
He inspired me to join an employee resource group. We do a lot of charity work and fundraising events. Our main mission is to support high school students and offer college scholarships.
My dad started joining the events too, and that’s another thing that we do together now. Our favorite event is the Lunar New Year event, and it’s very special coming from a mixed-race household. It teaches me a lot more about my culture. We try all the food together, and it’s a really nice bonding experience.
Never say ‘no’ to an opportunity
My dad always says, “Never say no to an opportunity, big or small.”
He often explains to me that opportunities don’t come around all the time. It’s always a chance to learn something new, and being uncomfortable is OK.
This advice has helped me a lot in my networking. I never say no, just like he told me. So if I randomly get invited to a happy hour, that’s not even on my own team, I still go — even if I’m tired. I’ve met a lot of people that way.
Have multiple areas of expertise
My dad also always says you have to have multiple areas of expertise to elevate your career.
If you are an expert in one thing, you’re going to be known as an expert for that one thing, and you’re going to stay there.
He says that’s something that he wishes he did differently — expand his expertise versus just siloing in one spot.
That definitely stuck with me. I now remind myself that it’s good to move around. When I now start to feel comfortable, I seek out discomfort.
Three months ago, for example, I accepted a new role coming from one in finance. Now, I’m doing chief of staff work, which is all about planning internal events and thinking about our operations. It’s under a whole new set of leaders and seeing a side of the business that I haven’t even touched on yet.
I’ve gotten very uncomfortable, and it’s been so great — thanks to my dad.
