Daily Inspiration: Meet Joel Camarena

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joel Camarena.

Hi Joel, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Oh, the origin story! This is where I tell you how I got my superpowers and what I struggled through to get them. It tends to be more fun and less dramatic when it comes to me though in pretty much everything thing I do.

Let’s begin this journey at San Jose State where I graduated with my Bachelor’s in International Business. I remember driving to Los Angeles the day after graduation excited to start my professional career, and hoping to land a stable job. I badly wanted to be a corporate monkey who goes into a clean office every day and makes jokes at the water cooler with my cute coworkers. That felt like the American dream to me. I struggled a bit with finding a job after graduation but networked my way to The Walt Disney Company as an Intern in Human Resources. Human Resources wasn’t where I thought I’d end up, but fate put me there. I would have honestly done any job at Disney! I spent the next 6 years of my life climbing that corporate ladder, smiling for the spectators.

I took full advantage of all the company perks. Found myself laughing at Jack Sparrow on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride with family on the weekends since accessing Disney parks for free was part of the benefits. Another awesome benefit was learning and development classes. There was a creative writing class and that is where I learned that I was a solid storyteller. One of the Disney animation writers was in my class and he read one of my short stories.

“Wait, did you just come up with this idea right now?” the Animator asked. We were asked to create a short story in class and have a peer read it.
“Yeah, stories run through my mind all day. I watch them like movies playing out,” I responded.
“You know that’s not normal right?” the Animator asked.
“So, I should continue writing them down?” I answered with a question.
“Yes. Write all of them down like Miles Finch in the Elf movie,” he said.

And that’s what I have been doing. I do love my day job though! I am currently a Sr. Manager at Sony Pictures Entertainment in Global Talent Acquisition. I manage entry-level, administrative hiring, pipeline hiring programs, and a few other amazing things. But on the side, I write cool stories. We don’t have to be one-dimensional. I work in Human Resources but also do a billion other things. People always ask me, how do you get experience if no one will give you a shot? I tell them to just go do it until someone starts to notice. So that’s what I am doing with my writing.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As I stated before, I tend not to focus too much on the struggles along the way. Life throws you all kinds of obstacles that you need to get through. It’s how you progress through and remain optimistic. Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Companies, once said something along the lines of optimism is the most important trait of a leader. I take that with me everywhere I go. My mind tends to go to solving the problem over dwelling on it. I realize people need to feel their feelings and I try to do that as well, but you can’t help who you are naturally.

So yes – my parents’ divorce, being the first one in my family to go to college and make something of myself, proving that I am good enough in the corporate landscape, and writing and self-publishing a book that people may never read were all struggles. But what an adventure they have all been. I am living.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I live in Los Angeles so of course I am used to this question. Many tend to answer it the same way with their job title and the company that they work for, but I believe we are such much more than just that. We are multifaceted complex people doing so many things in a day. This is why I have begun calling myself a Writer, Corporate Professional, and Jack-of-all-trades creative goofball. Who knows how many other buzzwords I might throw into this as life progresses.

In my day job, I specialize in hiring and building amazing pipeline programs for Sony Pictures Entertainment. What I am most proud of at the moment is my new novel, The Ghost Guard which is out now (theghostguard.com)! It’s an inspiring YA suspense adventure novel about friendship, family, and resilience. The readers have found it fun, and engaging, with endearing characters from many unique backgrounds. The protagonist has Down syndrome and elements of exclusion lift four new heroes to save the town from ghosts on Halloween night. It’s ideal for tweens and up readers. It takes place in the early 2000s and has light violence and profanity. I mean a Ghost Troll does eat a kid, but maybe he’s not really dead. Who knows?

I think what sets the story apart is the unique characters from authentic backgrounds. People throughout my life helped create these characters in many ways so they feel authentic. The protagonist with Down syndrome stems from my days of tutoring kids with disabilities while in high school. A few of the other characters tie directly into my Mexican American heritage and showcase what it’s like growing up Latino. I do hope you or your loved ones take a read.

What does success mean to you?
I think success is subjective for people. Some of us look at it based on our upbringing. Most parents are usually more focused on a good job with a stable income for their children. My father came to the U.S. from Mexico when he was young and always wanted me to have what he didn’t. He made sure I went to college and took advantage of all that was available to me. Therefore, a lot of what I deem successful was constructed by what I have been through and now feel is important. However, that may not be the same for others.

I define success by happiness and comfort. Am I genuinely happy in my day-to-day life with the comfort of healthy food, shelter, and adventures? Heck yes, I am. Could I be more successful? Always. That is the beauty of being an American. The dream may change as you age and that’s perfectly fine. Now you just have to enjoy the journey of reaching it.

Contact Info:

• Website: theghostguard.com
• Instagram: joelbcool
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelcamarena/
• Other: Tiktok: Joelbecool