The First Generation Young Latino Professional in Chicago That Keeps Rising

David Gloria is the Assistant Director of Business Career Services (BCS) at The University of Chicago Office of Career Advancement. A recent honors graduate from DePaul University, David has held highly esteemed roles in his young career working at JPMorgan Chase, participating in a modeling stint with Chicago's Latino Fashion Week, and being employed at one of Chicago's premiere research institutions. David has learned how to create a narrative that will continue to make his community and family proud of him everyday (Photo credit: Elizabeth Monge).

By: David Gloria ​

As a business career counselor at the University of Chicago, I advise some of the world's best and brightest young people on getting recruited by top organizations across the country. Reviewing UChicago students' resumes briming with internships at Goldman Sachs, The United Nations, and The White House is a normal part of my job.

How can students who do not have straight A's, helicopter parents, or a "guide to success," navigate professional landscapes? As a first generation college graduate myself, I recall when I felt lost, confused, and at many points even completely unaware of the competitive world of writing resumes, networking, interviewing, and interning. ​For me, much of that credit goes to the fact I was (unknowingly) networking, identifying resources and reaching out to key individuals that helped me build leadership skills. I always asked questions that helped me open doors. This, blended with my personal mission of learning and helping college students, would lead to creating so many possibilities. 

 I was unprepared
for the “real” world.  I was just drifting by, thinking about my future with what little I knew.  I later realized that I had to stop just thinking about my future, and had to change my mindset today
to start taking action
to prepare myself
for tomorrow."

Photo credit: Elizabeth Monge

Many people see me as a confident role model, but I wasn't always this way. My younger self was an extremely timid, husky "four eyes" with an awkward haircut until high school. My Mexican immigrant parents provided a supportive home, but they could not provide the academic or professional knowledge I had to eventually seek out on my own. I was unprepared for the “real” world.  I was just drifting by, thinking about my future with what little I knew.  I later realized that I had to stop just thinking about my future, and had to change my mindset today to start taking action to prepare myself for tomorrow.  Fast forward to the present, and I can now  say that I have achieved some of the things that I did not know even existed back then. 

I received my Bachelor's degree from DePaul University in 2013. I landed my first job in my hometwon of Joliet as a Managment Trainee at Toys "R" Us (not my ideal job). Since then, I have worked at JPMorgan Chase and the University of Chicago. I have served as a public speaker for hundreds of high school students, modeled business-wear for Chicago's Latino Fashion Week, and was selected as a Young Professional Ambassador for the Chicago Council on Global Affairs (rated the #1 think tank to watch worldwide). I have achieved this and so many other personal and professional goals, all while striving to be the best father possible for my young daughter. 

College students often ask me, "How did you get your career started?" "How did you access so many amazing opportunities and get paid to purse the passions you love at top companies?" Where do you even start looking for opportunities without already having connections or a clear idea of what you want? Well you start one step at a time and plant seeds today to get the skills, connections, and experience you need to reach a greater personal vision.

Where do you even start looking for opportunities ... ? Well, you start one step at a time and plant seeds today to to get the skills, connections, and experience you need to reach
​a greater personal vision."

David often reflects on his life in amazement at how many people have impacted him and assisted him to  get to where he is today, which he describes as "only the beginning." Jokingly, he says, he does not have any super powers and for a long time struggled with his own emotional and personal barriers (Photo credit: Elizabeth Monge).

Focus on making small wins day-to-day and keep the big picture in mind.  Whether you are in high school, college, working, or currently looking for what to do next, do the best work you can. Meet as many people as possible in the career areas you might be interested in, and don't be afriad of reaching out to people. It is also important to intentionally set time aside to research professional development opportunities and tips. I made it a goal to stay abreast with all of the Latino community, non-profit and professional organizations in Chicago. This has aided me tremendously in my networking efforts. 

Photo credit: Elizabeth Monge

Along the way, I learned that I had to consistently ask myself important questions about steps I could take to keep growing.   For instance, if I wanted to ... be a Resident Advisor at Depaul University to get free room and board (since my family couldn't afford the $12,000 fees per year), who did I have to talk to and what skills would I need to develop a higher chance at being selected?

If I wanted ... to work at a Fortune 200 company, what would I have to do to get in? If I wanted to ... follow my passion of helping others while staying in a well-known organization, who could I talk to for advice on making a bold change? 

Before college, I didn’t know what networking meant, but in my own career and as career adviser, I see how crucial it is to intentionally talk to people that you want to learn from and work with.  By connecting with more experienced people, you can learn about their line of work to see if it interests you.  You can also get to know people who can keep you in mind when they know of opportunities that open up in their field. 

For example, one day, I presented to an audience of about 200 people for a community event. Afterwards, I connected with the organization's executive director. Almost a year and a half later, she "tapped me on the shoulder" for a role at JPMorgan Chase (an oportunity I never could have envisioned for myself alone). 

Read Below How Yet An Opportunity Created Itself For Me:  

On November 2nd, I registered for The Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE) webinar, "Writing Your Bio: It's More Than Your Job Experiences,"  facilitated by CULTIVATE EXCELLENCE President and Founder Linda E. Alberty.  I had not heard of her, but was immediately amazed at her bio, website, and overall passion and success in helping others as a consultant. 

I consider CULTIVATE EXCELLENCE's Inspirational Blog to be a personal gem. I had to only scroll down two articles to find her post about Mario Vela, Director of Employer Relations at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. 

I read the blog post about him and knew I wanted to reach out after reading his professional track, and how he emodies much of what also motivates me. In particular, one quote that resonated with me was when he said, "I always felt I had a debt to society," for I feel the same.  

I asked for 15 minutes of his time to learn more about his career. The next thing I know I am speaking to him and he is introducing me to Linda Alberty. She later invites me to be a guest blogger. Linda, the successful leader and career consultant that she is, saw my ambition and determination to mentor others, and offered me the honor of being her first guest blogger! #lifechanging 

Above, David rocks the runway at the 10th Annual Latino Fashion Week in Chicago wearing Sarar. By actively attending various networking events and continually pushing himself outside of his comfort zone, David was selected to be a model (Photo credit: Angel Castro Photograpy).

Below, David models a suit by Sarar during his first TV debut on ABC7 Chicago News, promoting the 10th Annual Latino Fashion Week.

 You and only you have direct control to tailor each positive and negative life event to craft your own success story ..."

My message to you is that regardless of your string of life events, the predetermined cards that life has dealt you, or where you currently are now, none of this alone will determine your future or where you are going to go.  You and only you have direct control to tailor each positive and negative life event to craft your own success story.  

Do not let anything or anyone tell you that "you can't." Whatever your dream or goals are, start with knowing what you want, do some self-discovery, find an organization or individual that might be of interest or help you progress towards your goal. Have the courage to send out a few emails, phone calls, LinkedIn invites or attend networking events to move forward. Make these habits a part of your journey. If you make your mission about helping others, you will fnd there will never be a shortage of need for your skills and people who share your perspective. 

Thank you, 

David Gloria

​