Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Part 1

My heritage and upbringing have influenced my value system tremendously. I was extremely fortunate to have parents who worked very hard as immigrants from the Philippines to provide a better life and future for me and future generations. The example they showed me as hard-working ambitious individuals was the standard set for me at an early age and what I continue to carry every day. The Filipino culture is filled with religion, large family gatherings, great food, and every now and then some karaoke. In having such a large, close-knit family, I have always had a great support system that has influenced the way I live my life and treat others.

Avril Do TEKsystems Account Leader | New York, New York
Lineage: Vietnam

Like most refugees, my family came to America with no money, no belongings, and very little understanding of the English language and culture. The only option of surviving and advancing in America was for my parents to work hard and, in turn, provide opportunities for me and my sisters to obtain a good education. The result was that I grew up in a typical Asian household that values family, hard work and education.

My sister and I were inspired to start a nonprofit in Vietnam that provides science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) scholarships to help financially challenged Vietnamese students in some of the poorest areas in the country. We’ve given over 100+ scholarships and graduated one medical doctor, 20 software engineers and two economists.

My parents immigrated to the U.S. from Vietnam in the 1970s, after the Vietnam War. My mother was in her 20s and single at the time when she fled Vietnam on a fishing boat (which capsized at one point!). Each of my parents arrived with limited resources, money and very little knowledge of the English language. But they were determined to create a new life here and worked full-time jobs while going to school and becoming naturalized citizens. They graduated from college and worked in corporate America, all while learning a second language and facing discrimination in America and the workplace.

Tharun Reddy TEKsystems Director of Delivery (Enterprise Applications and Data Analytics & Insights) | Dallas, TX
Lineage: India

I’ve been at TEKsystems for a little over 10 years now. Early on, I felt like I wouldn’t have the ability to progress in my career because the leadership advice I received didn’t resonate with me: being loud and being boisterous is the way to lead.

It wasn’t until I attended a National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) Conference in Chicago, five years ago, that my mindset shifted. I finally felt heard when a presenter mentioned that the Asian culture is traditionally a “lead-by-example” culture that is “assertive but nonconfrontational.” This validated my leadership style. The conference empowered me to have a conversation with my supervisor to share my insights.

Since then, I’ve been able to encourage my peers and teams to show up authentically and in the style that works for them. I continue to notice the personal and professional growth my team members have by just being themselves.