Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Andria Johnson.
Dr. Johnson, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Growing up, I never knew much about careers outside of the “norm,” such as being a doctor, nurse, accountant, etc. My siblings and I were first-generation college students who all went into college blind. No plan. Somewhat shady execution. By the grace of God, we finished, but none of us are working in the career path we planned upon graduating. I wanted a career in sports for as long as I could remember. However, growing up in Oklahoma, there aren’t many opportunities to work in professional sports. For years I took jobs, knowing I would not be satisfied with them, but hey, I needed to pay the bills. Both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees are in Finance, and once I began working in Finance, I knew this was not the end all be all for me. At the advice of my sister, I pivoted to HR via recruiting. This pivot changed my life.
As a recruiter, I was able to help navigate the ever-changing employee landscape and offer job opportunities to many amazing candidates across the world. It was through recruiting that I was able to make the lifelong goal of working in sports come true! I was then hired to be a recruiter for the National Basketball Association. While there, I made it my mission to advocate for and hire as many people of color that I could. It wasn’t easy, but the more I helped others get into the NBA League Office, the more people became interested in my story. They wanted to know the blueprint of how I not only pivoted in my career but also how I achieved my dream job. After a few years at the NBA League Office, I checked two additional boxes off my list, and those were taking my talents to the team side of sports and transitioning into a more general HR role. I found that hiring people wasn’t enough. By then, I was invested in their growth, and I wanted an opportunity to continue helping others while employed. Once I moved on from the NBA to the Dallas Mavericks as an HR Director, I began to get more and more requests for consults. I knew then that it was time to start my consulting business to help others pivot in their careers, negotiate their worth, and obtain the dream job they have always wanted.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
ABSOLUTELY NOT! I spent many years confused about what I should be doing. Nothing was fulfilling. I hated every job I had. Even once I got into the sports industry, it became very tough to persevere and stay. The sports industry is known for its lack of diversity. This is no secret. And, even with an organization as progressive as the NBA, it was still a challenge. There were many nights that I cried and felt that the battle wasn’t worth the stress and tears. Many times, I wanted to give up. But it was those moments of triumph when I was able to get a person of color hired, who most likely would have never been called in for an interview that gave me the strength to continue the fight.
I also dealt with impostor syndrome. It was BAD! The east coast is full of elite students from elite universities (Ivy League). Here I was, a black girl from Oklahoma who attended a state college for my undergrad and received my MBA from an online university. I often felt like I didn’t belong, or that my background made my opinion less valid. I felt that the ivy league lawyers thought I was dumb and inadequate. It was awful. However, my leadership team within the HR group encouraged and empowered me to use my voice, to demand a seat at the table, and stand my ground. My supervisor was AMAZING! She gave me the support I needed to realize that I deserved to be there. I deserved to sit at the table with everyone, even Commissioner Silver if it came to that! (It never did, but I was notorious for sending bitmojis in professional emails, and one of my emails made it to his desk, to which he responded with an emoji himself!).
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on, and most proud of.
Andria J. Consulting specializes in helping others make the most of their careers, all while encouraging them to enjoy the journey. Seeks to help every consumer find joy and purpose in their careers. I strive to build meaningful relationships and assist all clients on their career journey as they align, elevate, and expand their careers.
Additionally, I am a known advocate for fair pay practices and negotiating your salary. I was recently featured in Forbes Women, giving tips on not only negotiating your salary but also understanding total compensation packages. I am different from others because I focus on the fluidity of careers. Instead of trying to box clients into one job, one industry, one function, I will explore cross-functional core skills, jobs, and industries.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Hands down my family. OMG! My support system is crazy. They sat and listened to me every time I called crying when I was confused, frustrated, pissed off! They never judged me. They listened, encouraged, and uplifted me.
And God! God has worked a miracle after a miracle while on this journey. Would you believe it if I told you that I never applied to the job at the NBA! Yes! I was called for an interview for a job without an application submission. I was living in Atlanta at the time, and the supervisor reached out to me and subsequently offered me the role, without requiring me to move. I was the first League Office HR employee who was based out of NYC but worked remotely from a completely different state. That was nobody but God!
Pricing:
- Career Development / Job Search Strategy $150 – includes a pre-assessment survey via email (pre-coaching), a 60-minute strategy session via video conference or phone, a follow-up plan of action.
- Mock Interview $75 – includes a 60-minute mock interview followed by an insights report and recommendations.
- Ultimate Job Search Package $200 – includes a pre-assessment survey via email, a 60-minute job search strategy session via video conference or phone, a 60-minute interview prep / mock session, an insights report, recommendations, and a plan of action.
- 30-minute Q&A $40
Contact Info:
- Email: info@ajcareerconsulting.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andriajconsulting/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andriajconsulting
Image Credit:
Jenni Woods with Jenni Woods Photography
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