Happy International Women’s Month! As this month comes to a close, we want to highlight the wonderful team of women who work at Asian Student Achievement and who inspire us daily! This newsletter, we’re taking the time to highlight the various women that make up ASA and share some insight on who are some Asian American women who inspire us. We also have some exciting events that ASA will be headed to soon!

ASA Staff Corner

Career advice for young women

Kathleen Stark (Board of Directors): As an Asian American woman, I have some advice to those still navigating their career or just beginning: immerse yourself in a variety of experiences. Whether it’s joining that tech meetup, stepping into community service, or expressing yourself through art and writing, each experience is a step towards discovering your passions and strengths. It’s important to explore the multitude of identities and interests that make you, you. It’s okay if your path to finding your career isn’t straightforward. Each skill you acquire and story you embrace not only enriches your personal narrative but also broadens your appeal in the eyes of future employers or educational institutions. And, stepping outside of your comfort is a great way to create new connections and even find new role models within the Asian American community!

Emily Mun (Operations Manager): Trying to find a job as a young professional just graduating college in this market is not easy. Especially as a young Asian American woman who saw the dominant culture praise and hire those who might have had my same skillset but weren’t me. My work was just “me doing the job” but for others it was excellent and unparalleled efforts. For others like me or any young women entering the professional field, I would say: don’t give up and don’t let the frustration become overwhelming (easier said than done right?). Remind yourself that where you are right now is just one step in your whole journey and know that it takes time to transition or change careers but that change isn’t impossible! I would also say to take it slow – there’s no rush to try to find the perfect job or even a job at all. Instead, I would focus on building connection and community or stay close with your own community as you go through this job hunting season. Your community will ground you and stabilize you through it all.

Ji Won (Operations Manager): As the only Asian American female in a male dominated field, my advice to Asian American women is to never stand down and never give up. I remind myself of the value and diversity I bring to the table. It’s important to remember to be confident in your abilities; you wouldn’t have made it this far or even gotten the job if you weren’t capable and your skill sets are admired and appreciated. Confidence helps you assert yourself and stand out. Be assertive and advocate for yourself; if you won’t, who will? As the only female Asian American officer in my town, I represent and advocate for all women and Asian American residents in my town and surrounding towns. Don’t be afraid to speak up, assert your voice, and even educate your peers on microaggressions and bias. I wouldn’t be where I am today without a great support system who encourages and challenges me to break barriers, challenge stereotypes, and inspire those who share the same background as I do. Stay true to yourself, persevere in the face of adversity, and continue striving for success.

Upcoming Speaking Engagement: MAASU Spring Conference

We are so excited to be invited back to the Midwest Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Students Union (MAASU) conference on April 5-7, 2024 at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor where Asian Student Achievement (ASA) will be speaking! To find out more details, check out the MAASU website!

Upcoming Speaking Engagement: Siemens Healthineers

Highlighting the inspiring women in our lives

This Women’s Herstory Month, we asked the women of ASA to highlight some inspiring women in their lives.

Emily (Operations Manager): There’s not just one woman who inspires me – there’s a lot of women who do so. As silly as it sounds, I’ve learned so much from other women about what it means to be a woman and what sisterhood means and feels like. I gain inspiration from my friends, my sister, and my mom everyday and continue to be uplifted to do more by them as well. So big shout out to all the women in my life for helping me become the woman I am today!!

Ji Won (Operations Manager): A woman who inspires me is my sister, Jamie. Jamie was actually a technology intern for ASA a couple years back! She was the one who introduced me to ASA and the whole reason I work here! Although Jamie is two years younger than me, I always referred to her as my older younger sister. Her strong will and mind is something that I always look up to. She inspires me everyday to be a better person and to always strive for my goals. She’s super cool (she works at a super cool place but she won’t let me tell people :disappointed:), funny (she collects anything related to frogs), and loves unconditionally. The sister-ly love and bond I have with Jamie is something that I’m incredibly grateful for and I love her so much.

Anna (Data Analytics and Graphic Design Intern): A woman who inspires me is the most resilient, kind, and patient person I know, my mother! She inspires me to live life to the fullest and to always stand up for what I believe in. Even in times of struggle and hardship, my mom will always keep a smile on her face (and sometimes even joke about it). She has sacrificed so much for me and my siblings, and we will always be grateful for her. I hope that one day I can become as strong as she is.

Aglaia (Operations Intern): One woman who inspires me is my mother. She is the most selfless and hardworking woman I know. She never hesitates to help those in need. She has spent a large portion of her life teaching underprivileged children, doing charity work and community service. Her morality and strength inspires me to be a caring person. My mother went to college for a degree in music and taught piano for a few years. Around when I was 10 years old she decided she wanted to change her career path. She went back to school and got her masters degree in systems engineering. She showed me that it is never too late to pursue your dreams and that hard work always pays off!

Liana (Graphic Design Intern): My cousin Mallory is unlike anyone else and has undoubtedly made me the person I am today.  She is truly one of the most brightest people I know and her intellect is a beacon of admiration. However, what I believe truly distinguishes her is her humility, as she never belittles others like me for never knowing nearly as much as she.  She is one of the most joyful people I know. She is personified sunshine, and no matter how many birthdays go by, she has this youthful spirit that infuses and permeates every interaction, never failing to make me laugh and smile. She is one of the strongest women I know. Her resilience inspires me and gives me strength, strength being only one of the many things she gives me. Her strength is seen in her confidence, resilience, forgiveness, and love. Mallory is my teacher, mentor, cousin, confidant, best friend, sister, and my inspiration. She is who I want to be when I grow up.

Who is an Asian American woman that inspires you?

We asked some of our other interns at ASA who are some amazing Asian American women who inspire them and here’s who they said!

Anna: Michelle Phan has been an entrepreneur and done a lot for Asian women in the beauty industry!

Keefer: Michelle Yeoh is an empowering woman for 30+ years in the film industry. She’s also been a powerhouse for representation in recent history.

Rehman: Yuri Kochiyama is a woman who inspires me. Kochiyama is a revolutionary Civil Rights activist and worked with Malcolm X and was put into Japanese internment camps during World War II as a child.

Donor Spotlight

Kathleen Stark, Board of Directors for Asian Student Achievement, and Ji Won Cha, Operations Manager at Asian Student Achievement and both generously give back to ASA each month. Here’s why they support ASA:

“Working with ASA has shown me how our organization helps Asian and Asian-American individuals and has really inspired me. I give to ASA to support our interns and our organization so that they can continue to advocate or Asian and Asian-American individuals through the pipeline of leadership.”

– Ji Won Cha

“I give to ASA monthly because I feel that it’s important to give Asian and Asian Americans the ability to see themselves in leadership positions and to give them the tools needed to move through the pipeline to leadership.”

– Kathleen Stark

Thank you to both Ji Won and Kathleen for supporting ASA and all the work you do within our organization! If you are interested in supporting us, click the button below to give to ASA today!

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