OREANDA-NEWS. May 18, 2016.

What does being an Asian American mean to you?
Being an Asian American means having the opportunity to experience life in a different cultural, social and spiritual way. Growing up, both American and Chinese cultures heavily influenced the way I perceive the world. Plus, it’s a lot of fun getting to have two different life experiences at the same time!

How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
I’m curious, creative and evolving. I have a permanent craving for adventure and learning about new cultures. Exciting experiences feed my need to learn as much as I can about the world and they influence the way I create my novels’ characters and environments.

What does success look like to you?
Success to me isn’t just reaching a set goal. Success is also knowing how to enjoy the journey getting there. For example, my idea of a successful writing career isn’t just about becoming a published author on a best sellers list; it’s also about enjoying the excitement and challenge of things like writing competitions and pitching to agents.  It’s important to have fun and appreciate the small wins before you get to the “big win.”

If you could give your younger self professional advice, what would it be?
I worked hard in high school and college to earn enough credits to graduate early. I’m competitive by nature. I was so eager to join the workforce that I didn’t give myself enough time to network and build up contacts that can help me in my career. In retrospect, I wish I had listened to my parents’ advice to slow down. They told me to take the time to learn and process things. I could’ve learned a new skillset, met new people and studied abroad. I could have explored career opportunities instead of graduating early. I made sure that I didn’t make the same mistake again when I went back to school to get my MBA. I applied that learning to my career as well. Now, I focus more on balancing relationship building and learning new skills alongside work quality and efficiency. 

Joy Lucas - Lead Consultant, AT&T Partner Solutions