Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Tran.
Hi Michelle, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
Sure! Hi, my name is Michelle Tran and I’m a graduate student and content creator. I was born and raised in Dallas and have lived in Texas all of my life. I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2020 with a bachelor’s in science and arts in biochemistry, a minor in business administration, and a concentration in diversity, equity, and inclusion. After graduating, I worked as a research assistant at UT Southwestern and then as a medical assistant at a rheumatology clinic. I am currently a graduate student at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston pursuing a certificate in biomedical science and health equity and plan to apply to medical school. I aspire to become a physician, so I can advocate and serve marginalized groups and also help alleviate health inequities.
Though I have a science background, social media has always been my outlet for self-expression and creativity. By the time I was 10 years old, I had taught myself how to use iMovie and posted music videos and mini vlogs on YouTube. I’ve always been active online through Myspace and Tumblr in my early days and more recently, Instagram and TikTok. It has been a year since I started to take my social media seriously by posting consistently and unapologetically.
My platforms have evolved into what they are today – a positive space where I navigate my life through my 20s, pursuing my academic and career aspirations and sharing “all-things” Dallas and Houston. In the past year, I have been able to make amazing local Dallas and Houston connections, work with major brands & companies, and meet incredible creatives in the space. I aim to encourage my audience to celebrate life through personal growth, prioritizing their health and wellness, but also having a balanced lifestyle while of course, discovering new experiences and trying new foods around the city.
I look forward to my future in the content creation industry, where I will continue to work towards bringing Asian representation to the Dallas and Houston’s creator community, partner with brands that align with my mission, and continue pursuing my lifelong dream of medicine.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I am the first person in my family to graduate college and pursue medicine, but my journey in higher education hasn’t been easy. Born and raised in Dallas in a low-income, single-parent household with social stigmas all around, I attended public schools my entire life. My mother immigrated from Vietnam in search of opportunity and the American dream. She has made a living working labor-intensive jobs. In high school, I had to learn about FAFSA, college applications, and scholarships all by myself. Though I had no one to go to for advice when applying for college, I just knew I had to attend.
When I first started at UT Austin as a first-generation college student, I automatically felt a sense of immense pressure. I felt out of place and that I needed to prove that I deserved my spot, especially when I looked at my peers – most of whom came from affluent backgrounds. In my first year of college, I regularly felt discouraged due to insufficient academic preparation, limited college knowledge, cultural conflicts, and financial constraints. My mother didn’t have the lived experiences to help guide me through my college years, but she did teach me confidence and instilled in me the belief that I could do anything if I put my mind to it.
Being the first person in my family to graduate college, nonetheless, graduating from the University of Texas at Austin is one of my biggest accomplishments. Despite the challenges I’ve faced, I am thankful for what being first gen has taught me: independence and resilience.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Aside from biomedical graduate studies, I am a content creator/influencer. I conceptualize, develop, edit and create content that engages consumers through written and visual storytelling. My main platforms are Instagram and TikTok, where I post lifestyle content such as makeup, skincare, fashion, fitness, and my life in grad school. My platforms are also widely known as a local resource for things to do, see, eat, and drink in Dallas and Houston. As an Asian American woman in the creative space, I use my content to showcase my life and perspective through a unique cultural lens.
What sets me apart from others is that I am authentically and unapologetically myself while also providing value to my audience as a creator. I value my work and partner with brands that I believe in and love.
I am most proud of my growth, online and personal. In the beginning of my content creator journey, I was extremely nervous to upload and was afraid of what others would think of me. With a positive push from my close family and friends, I started posting. I began to slowly realize that not everyone is going to like me nor like what I create and that is something completely out of my control. However, what I could control is being myself and being proud of the content I created. I now have people engaging with my content by giving me praise, feedback and asking questions. It truly makes my day when I get messages saying that I have helped them or inspired them in some way. In a sense, as my audience grew, so did my self-confidence.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is my family. My family has sacrificed so much for me to have opportunities they will never get the chance to and for that, I am extremely grateful. Their encouragement and support is what drives me to keep pursuing my goals and dreams.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tiktok.com/@xmichelletran
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xmichelletran/
Image Credits
Richard Hoang
David Nguyen
