Reflecting on my 6 years at LinkedIn

This year marks my 6th year of working at LinkedIn and as I reflect on my years here, I am grateful to be where I am today. I am reminded of why I love working at LinkedIn so much. Sure, the incredible benefits and perks help - delicious free food, free onsite gym, generous vacation, talented coworkers, etc- but what really helps me stay motivated and inspired everyday is feeling a sense of purpose at work. 

Purpose at work is defined as finding work that matters to each person, and connecting those people to companies where they can drive meaningful impact.

I find purpose at work because I believe in LinkedIn’s vision and its impact affects me on a personal level. LinkedIn’s vision is to create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce. This vision is personal to me as I think about my own parents and their struggle to find economic opportunity.

My parents were Vietnam refugees in the 1970s fleeing their country hoping for a safer, better one to call home. My mom had 10 siblings and coming to America was an opportunity for them to rewrite their future. Not knowing how to speak English, my mom’s first job in America was a housekeeper for a hotel where she cleaned more than 16 rooms per shift making less than minimum wage. They didn't have enough money for basic needs and would have to divide 1 apple among 10 people to share (how do you evenly slice that?). Overtime, she worked hard to put herself through college and is now a respectable engineer at Panasonic making well over 6 figures. Talk about a crazy transformation story! Each of her 10 siblings graduated from a 4 year university and became engineers, doctors, teachers, and dentists making positive contributions to our society today.

Raised by immigrant parents, they instilled in me the importance of hard work and gratitude. It’s difficult to describe the transformational experience I’ve had here. Today, 90% of the company is newer than me. I’ve had 6 promotions, 6 managers, and moved desks 7 times. Our network has grown 3X since I started. I have worked with over 300 different companies during my time here and have helped hire over 1,500 people in the last year.

I am so proud to be a part of this journey and hope my work at LinkedIn can continue to change the lives of others as much as it has impacted my family.

Professionals spend a majority of their hours awake at work, and yet 2 out of 3 are disengaged in their jobs. Only 30% of the U.S. workforce reports being actively involved, enthusiastic, and committed to their work. There has never been a more crucial time to connect people with their purpose.  What inspires you to go to work every day? #inittogether #linkedinlife