I am excited to share that in October of 2021 I landed my dream job in tech, a sales role for a high growth start-up here in San Francisco. It took years of goal setting and sacrificing in order to get to this point. When I received the call that I was being offered the job, it was one of the most incredible feelings ever. I had actually laid out a road map and crossed the finish line, but now that I'm here I realize I still have a lot of work to do. When I joined the team I noticed that I was surrounded by a lot of intelligent people with years of industry experience, and here I was recently released from prison and completely new to tech. Old self limiting beliefs started creeping in, and I began having doubts about whether I belonged here. What if I fail? What if I am not capable enough? What if I spent all of this time and energy to get here and tech sales isn't for me?
 
Through Defy's training I have learned that this is called "imposter syndrome,” doubting my abilities and feeling like a fraud. Another way to say this is I think I am not as competent as others perceive me to be. I started feeling like I was an outsider in a group that didn't accept me, but it turns out my team has embraced me and my past. It was all self-created. I have been through some tough times in my life but nothing has ever challenged me the way this has. Thankfully the Defy community (EITs, volunteers, staff, and partner organizations) has been there to help encourage and uplift me. I am super grateful to Strively, Checkr, and Novus Global for the hours you have spent helping me define and achieve my goals. DeJuan and Q have been there for me from the day I stepped out and whenever I need anything they are there to remind me that we are all in this together.