In episode 147, Erik and Kerel talk with Mary Myers, Author of African Born: An American Story. Mary was born in Ethiopia and had multiple scholarship opportunities that brought her to the United States right after high school graduation. With no connections, no family or friends, and no roadmap, she sought out the freedom that she once craved back home. She eventually went on to work for Amazon, Dow, and Bank Of America, just to name a few. While facing multiple hardships, Mary decided to take a break from work and found herself writing. This writing turned into her first book, half memoir, half self-help, African Born: An American Story which is filled with real life stories and poetry.
Mary shares her experience as a young girl in Ethiopia who was about to go onto study Civil Engineering, but found a way out through a scholarship and a little fish in a big pond in the United States. She shares how she wanted so badly to create her own path, experience freedom, and be more available to the opportunities that she was seeking. Mary has advice for those who want to write a book, what she goes over in her book, and what made her write it in the first place.
“If you can effectively tell your story, and understand how the skill you're building and the background you have fits into what this company is trying to solve, I think that would make you a really good candidate.”
Timestamps:
:29: Mary Myers, Author of African Born: An American Story, talks about where she grew up and her journey to the United States
2:33: Mary shares why she was so focused on leaving Ethiopia for the U.S. and finding the freedom she was seeking
4:03: The path that Mary would have taken if she had stayed in Ethiopia
6:15: Mary talks about her book, African Born: An American Story, how that came about, the passion to tell her story, and the struggles she was facing at the time of writing it
8:05: Mary breaks down what being bold means to her and what questions she asks herself to make sure she is staying her true self
9:28: How Mary started her career path in the U.S. after coming over with no contacts or connections and no roadmap guiding her where to go
11:35: The two things Mary tries to pass onto people she works with within leadership, DEI in tech, and strategy to help in their careers
13:05: What Mary is going to do when she goes back to her home of Ethiopia after moving away 13 years ago
14:39: The places Mary draws inspiration from, including conversations and books
15:21: Advice for anyone who wants to write a book
16:28: The top three apps Mary uses for entertainment, education and inspiration
17:00: Where to find Mary Myers and how to buy her book African Born: An American Story
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