I interviewed Jesse Meza, 4A’s MAIP recipient and UCLA MBA Candidate, who can speak a lot to plowing through challenges in difficult environments. 

Starting from square one, as a first-generation student, where do you go? How do you build a network? A financial nest egg? Generational wealth?

We talk about code switching to fit in, how to overcome imposter syndrome, humanize professional challenges, and ultimately achieve success while still retaining strong character and empathy.

WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW!

Some favorite themes:

– You need to dream bigger than your environment.

– Invest in your friends, family, network. Check in regularly. They’ll save you when you need a lifeline.

– Humble yourself and others will humble themselves to you.

– Forgiveness is the path to freedom.

– Train the voice in your head to sound like the person you want to become.

– Blisscipline. Bliss = Discipline.

You can get in touch with Jesse via LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jemeza/

Some of Jesse’s book recommendations:

• Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
• Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Organizations recommended:

• Defy Ventures
• Big Brothers Big Sisters