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NextGen Collective spotlights Meta Emerging Talent Recruiter David Rodriguez. Read on about his work, his mom as a source of inspiration, his love of hiking, and more.
Where are you from?
Cali, Colombia
What do you do today?
I’m an emerging talent recruiter at Meta.
Who inspired you the most in your life growing up?
My queen of a mom! She left her family and business behind in Colombia in search of a better future for us. Her sacrifices are a constant source of my drive to excel in all I do!
What lesson did you learn early in your career that still serves you today?
Who you know is just as important as what you know! Networking and managing up were vital skills that I learned through leaders and mentors early in my career and continue to serve me in my professional journey.
What are some of the biggest challenges you see for Latinx professionals early in their careers?
Lack of mentorship from people that identify with us! As a first-generation college graduate, entering the workforce with little to no guidance came with many difficulties. I encourage Latinx professionals to constantly seek opportunities to mentor those like them starting out their career.
Which causes are you passionate about?
I am passionate about uplifting and empowering minorities via coaching! I take a few mentees a year and ensure I support them in any way I can – the same way others within the community have done for me.
How can Latinx professionals better advocate for themselves?
Proactively building a network and constantly sharing progress and success stories. It is our responsibility to advocate for ourselves and “manage up” in all dimensions!
What podcast or life hack can you not live without?
A life hack I cannot live without is journaling. I am a firm believer that there’s power behind putting pen to paper and I use this to set my intentions and goals.
What is one non-work related goal that you would like to achieve in the next five years?
I want to learn Portuguese! One of my goals this year is to take a three-week immersive course in Lisbon.
What’s one thing we’d never be able to guess from your LinkedIn profile?
I absolutely love hiking! This past year, I was able to hike the Swiss Alps, Patagonia, and a couple of national parks in the US.
