Carlos is a successful figure in Silicon Valley. In his episode, he shares insights from his book, “The Immigrant Survivor Guide to Silicon Valley,” and recounts his experiences growing up between Mexico and the U.S., ultimately shaping his career path.
Carlos comes from a small farming community in Jalisco, Mexico, and currently resides in San Jose, California. His journey from a rural upbringing to becoming the Vice President of customer experience and digital strategy at Hewlett-Packard Enterprises shows that anything is truly possible. Through his work, Carlos is intentionally elevating others and amplifying the impact of Latino communities within the tech industry.
Navigating Two Cultures and Opportunities
Carlos speaks openly about navigating two cultures because of all the moving between Mexico and the U.S. as a child. He describes the differences between educational systems and the adaptability needed to navigate both. Despite these challenges, Carlos excelled academically.
The decision to finally stay in the U.S. was driven by the promise of greater opportunities—a common thread among immigrant families. The immigration process was long and complex, which is the norm for most immigrant families, but eventually everything settled.
Breaking Cultural Barriers to Expand His Horizons to Silicon Valley
A key theme in Carlos’s story is his determination to surpass the expectations set by his family’s cultural norms. He discusses the importance of dreaming bigger and broadening horizons, encouraging others to break free from traditional roles and achieve their potential. However, this is hard for immigrant children and children of immigrant parents because our family’s approval and opinions are something that children value. At the end of the day, they don’t want to disappoint their parents. Carlos’s journey shows how individuals can redefine success, make it their own and challenge the boundaries set before them. And Carlos is now a great example of this for his own son!
The Immigrant Survival Guide to Silicon Valley
Carlos’s book, “The Immigrant Survival Guide to Silicon Valley,” offers insights into navigating the tech industry as an immigrant. It serves as a valuable resource for individuals going through similar journeys, featuring contributions from industry leaders who offer diverse perspectives.
However, what I noticed while reading the book is that the principles and practical steps can be applied to any industry. For example, Carlos had a great emphasis on having a mentor – this is very important, no matter which industry you’re in. So, even if you’re not in the tech world, I highly recommend this book!
Watch Now
Listen to Carlo’s story on The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast
With Love, Heidy
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