Ashley Madrigal: Using Mindfulness to Navigate a Tech Layoff [Video]

On the fifth episode of “Women Just Like You”, we are joined by Ashley Madrigal!  Ashley is a first generation latina who was hired as a recruiting coordinator on the spot after college, and has spent every year since trying out different parts of the Human Resources world until she was laid off several months ago during a tech layoff.  

Ashley has faced challenges and had to advocate for herself throughout her career and emphasizes the importance of asking questions, networking, and being resourceful in career development. Her involvement in employee resource groups (ERGs) has had a significant impact on her career progression, allowing her to advocate for fair compensation and secure a title change as well as given her opportunities outside of her day job. 

Audrey and Ashley spend a good amount of the conversation chatting about how Ashley has navigated her layoff, what she’s looking for in her next role, and how she’s practicing mindfulness every day.

Our conversation is full of:
– Why you should network within your company and be your own brand
– How self-reflection, continuous learning, and pursuing passions are important for career development
– Being a latina in tech
– The impact of ERG involvement on career growth
– What factors to think about when looking for a new role
– Why you need to learn your no is just as important as your yes
– #standonbusiness 
– And how family can be the support system you need to get through the tough times!

You can find more information about Don Miguel Ruiz’s four agreements that Ashley talked about at www.miguelruiz.com/the-four-agreements

Chapters:
0:00 Childhood Dreams and Career Beginnings
04:37 Navigating High School as a First-Generation Latina
09:58 Career Journey and Learning to Say No
13:50 Looking for the First Job as a First-Generation College Student
15:44 Pivoting Within a Company and Advocating for Yourself
21:30 Navigating Layoffs and Reflecting on Career
24:42 Importance of ERGs and Company Culture
32:04 Approaching Time Between Jobs and Navigating Layoffs
34:51 Taking Time to Re-Energize
35:37 Factors to Consider in a New Job
36:57 Importance of Manager Connection
37:32  Setting Expectations with Managers
38:42 Asking Questions and Evaluating Job Opportunities
40:35 Inclusivity, Growth, and Employee Benefits
41:26 Trusting the Journey and Embracing Rejection
42:44 The Importance of Mindfulness and Nervous System Regulation
43:46 The Experience of Being a Latina in Tech
47:00 Career Aspirations in HR and Personal Branding
48:15 Advice for Women in the Middle of Their Careers
51:03 Inspirational Quotes and Sayings

You can connect with Ashley at: 
@flowithashley on Instagram and TikTok 
@ashleyy_madrigal on Instagram
⁠www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-madrigal-778337113/⁠

You can find Audrey at:
⁠⁠www.audreyutchen.com⁠⁠
⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/audreyutchen⁠⁠
@audreythecareerwoman on Instagram and YouTube 

Join the distribution list to get behind-the-scenes content about the making each episode, along with monthly career development recommendations: 
⁠⁠https://shorturl.at/begnv⁠⁠
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“Women Just Like You” is a career advice podcast for women in the middle of their careers directly from women in the middle of theirs. Join Audrey on Wednesdays to hear from women just like you: not a new professional but maybe not a VP just yet, and learn what they are up to at this exact stage of their careers. 

Theme music is “Dance of the Violins” by F-777, usable under Creative Commons.