Today we’d like to introduce you to Nico Nava
Hi Nico, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Nico Nava, and I am first generation immigrant from the Philippines. I am son of two hardworking parents, who instilled the value of education for us. We moved to Los Angeles to pursue a better life, and my parents’ hopes that their children live a happy and prosperous life, which is their dream. Since moving here in 2006, I have always been inspired to ensure that I get to return the kindness, and hard work and sacrifices that they did for us. Thanks to them, my younger brother and I became the first in our family to earn advanced degrees where my brother earned his MS in Mechanical Engineering, while I recently finished my MS in Project Management (MSPM) from Northeastern University, and most recently earning my Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Northeastern University. I am now an independent creative director, brand manager, and also work as a project manager for businesses. But more importantly, I volunteer my time as a career mentor for students, and prospective students and helping get into colleges, and follow through until they graduate. I see this as my way of paying it forward to those who paved the way for me, and family’s success.
But getting to where I am was not an easy road. As an immigrant, I was lost about how the education system works here in the US. Although there were resources available to me, there was still a cultural and language barrier that I had to go through. I was raised in a culture that asking for help is seen as a weakness, though I was desperate to ask questions, I deferred and did not ask. It took me a decade to begin my college journey, and went straight to working right after high school. But like many others, I was living paycheck to paycheck, and it was just a matter of time that my parents would have to retire soon, so I knew I had to do something. I remember scrambling for quarters so I can take the bus to get to my school, because I was too proud to even ask for financial help from my parents.
That was when I first had a mentor from Los Angeles City College, Luisa Cortez, who I felt connected to, and for the first time, I felt like I was in safe space to talk about my struggles, and there we both created pathways and planned solutions. I learned about financial aid, college applications, and learning how to weigh options for different career paths.
As a way to thank her, I promised to myself that I will pass on the deeds forward. I was able to graduate with associates degree from Los Angeles City College, then followed with my bachelors degree from CalState LA. I was able to get my last year of undergrad have a full-ride scholarship, and was then referred to another mentor Shawn Sites. Shawn guided me as I began to pursue my graduate studies career, while also working full time as an events planner. Since then, my career took off; I became a project manager, worked on international projects, and worked for various industries.
Mentors served an important role for me; they are mirrors for my decision making. Mentors don’t create decisions for us, they help us reflect on the pros and cons of decision making, and allow us make an informed decision. I noticed that many people experienced the same way of feeling lost, and afraid to ask for help, and this is why I became more proactive in helping mentor people in their college careers. Since then I have helped people get into different colleges, ranging from California State University systems, to Babson College and even Columbia University. It is the most rewarding difference to see people succeed, and be part of their beginnings. And also instilling the value of paying it forward to others,
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It was not a smooth road, but I wouldn’t have asked for it to be easier! I experienced loss of family members, breakups, physical health challenges, and many times doubting myself whether I was making a right decision. But one of my favorite things to do when facing challenges is to try to look for silver linings, make small steps of actions, and celebrate the tiniest victories. I implore these mantra to people I have mentored before.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a professional, I am licensed project manager (PMP). I have worked on international projects in Thailand and Philippines.
I also have worked on different projects from red carpet events, large scale festivals, and fundraisings as a creative director. Consequently, I do brand management for individuals, with a niche focus on models, and also beauty pageants. Most recently, my candidate competed in Miss Universe Philippines where she placed as 1st runner up.
Most importantly, as a community leader, I am a career mentor helping students and prospective students with their college careers.
I decided to ask some of the people I mentored before for me to share their success stories and some of their photos. I have Rain Guerra who was accepted to the MBA program at Babson, Dovyn Villena graduated with her masters of occupational therapy from Samuel Meritt University, Roa Altell was accepted to Columbia University’s dental school.
Ampie Elomina graduated from CSUN with her undergrad in accounting. Katrina Dimaranan finished nursing school at Cypress College. Chaneade Darko graduated from Suffolk University with her masters in health administration. And Buddy Pablo landed an English teaching position in Japan, and moved from the Philippines. These are few names I wanted to highlight, and deserve the spotlight more than my own profession.
What sets me apart? I pursue my professional goals in life, while I also help others in reach their own owns goals. I believe this is how we make a stronger, and kinder society. I live through the Filipino spirit of “kapwa,” our core value of fellow-being, and sharing joys, celebrations, challenges, and also struggles and sorrows with others around us.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
One of the major risk I can think of was time management. I always went to school full-time, have a day job, and then at night on weekends I worked on my own gigs as events planner or directing for photoshoots. On top of that, managing personal life between spending time with family, and doing self-care. I definitely found myself short on self-care, and was at risk for burn outs. I do think they were worth the risk, but I don’t recommend being at risk for burn out. I missed on important family events due to work, or had papers I needed to finish. But I became more cognizant of what it meant to sacrifice, and weighing the risk if it is worth the sacrifice. I now have a better work life balance, and would not change how I was a risk-taker then.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.niconava.com
Image Credits
Daniel Mai, Rain Guerra, Dovyn Villena, Roa Altell, Ampie Elomina, CSULA PRSSA, Katrina Dimaranan, Chaneade Darko, Buddy Pablo
