Meet Carmen Yang | HR Manager and Content Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carmen Yang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carmen, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
When I first started my career a few years ago, I really thought I had to be working 25/8 in order to be successful and get to the place I want to be. I wanted the pay raises and promotions to come as quickly as possible, and I thought by overworking myself, I would guarantee my own success. I became overworked and burnt out within a few months, and my motivation and passion for what I do faded QUICK! I quickly realized that hard work and dedication can lead you to success, but I needed to allow myself to take breaks.

Overtime, I give myself nights to wind down and weekends to just relax. I’ve learned to say no and evaluate my workload routinely to make sure I am also taking care of my physical, mental, and emotional self. I’ve learned to also take time to myself where I simply unplug from the world. Giving myself some space not only allowed myself to be the best at work, but I was also able to strengthen my relationships with family, friends, and myself. I’ve learned to truly value my time off work.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am most proud of how I grew in my career by taking risks and believing in myself. Right out of college, I was desperate for a job. I was so dedicated to not being unemployed after graduation. I took any job I could get and settled for an HR Assistant position that didn’t pay much. A year later, I felt like I outgrown my position and took the risk to take a temporary position as an HR Generalist. This wasn’t any certainty that my job would become permanent, and that was risky, especially for it being in the middle of the pandemic. It gave me the opportunity to grow in my career. A few months into the role, I was offered a full-time position at another company, and I just knew it was an opportunity I could not say no too. Two and a half years later, I am still working at HR Pals and it was probably the best decision I could’ve made for my career. In less than 3 years, I was able to learn and grow within the company. I’ve been promoted 2 times so far and now am able to lead my own team and become a manager. Being such a young manager does pose its challenges, but it has taught me a lot and gave me the confidence to grow in different areas of my work. I am just in the beginning of my career, and I am so excited to see what the future holds. I am forever grateful of all of the opportunities I was given. It may not have been an easy road, but I would not change a thing.

Working remotely has also allowed me to travel the world, and I am truly grateful for that opportunity. Since working remotely, I am able to fulfill my passion for traveling while working. I’ve been able to travel to places like Seattle, Denver, Miami, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, and even London. The flexibility I am able to have with my job is something I will always appreciate. As I always say, “I don’t live to work but work to live!”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love Miami! When I first visited Miami, I went down the Tiktok rabbit hole for the best places to visit.

As a first time visitor to Miami, I love visiting all the popular spots just to get a taste of Miami baby!

Of course, you need to try a Cubano sandwich! You can find restaurants all over Miami with Cubanos on their menus!

Downtown Miami:
– Bistro Cafe for Brunch! Their mojito mimosas are delicious, and it also comes with a popsicle! Their brunch plates are AMAZING! From loaded avocado toast with shrimp to steak and eggs to loaded french toast, they have something for everyone!
– Ceviche 105/Pollos Y Jarras for some Peruvian cuisine! Everything from their ceviche to lomo saltados are so fresh and tasty! If you want some authentic Peruvian cuisine in downtown Miami, this is the place to go.
– Bacon Bitch is another great brunch spot. This spot is perfect for the party type as it’s a louder, more upbeat atmosphere! Yes, this is the restaurant where they call you “b*****itch!” This restaurant is almost like a dayclub where it will get you wanting to get up and dance at 11:27am!

Wynwood:
– Grails Miami for the famous Sneaker Cocktails! Even though they have single sneaker cocktails, in Miami, you GO BIG OR GO HOME!! They have an enormous sneaker cocktail that holds 20 cocktails! They service it to you bottle service style and you’ll definitely have a main character moment!! Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Little Havana:
– Walking around Little Havana is just an experience of it’s own! You can take a stroll and check out Domino Park, get a cuban coffee at La Colada Gourmet, and grab a bite at Ball and Chain! At Ball and Chain, there is live music, so it’s always a fun time!

Hialeah:
– Los Tres Conejitos is a small local bakery a little outside of Miami! They have the best pasties and $1 pan de lechons! Every pastries I tried there are super flaky and delicious! Perfect to pair with some coffee in the morning!

Miami Beach:
– Miami Beach is a must when come down to Miami! The beaches are clean and the water is blue and warm! Definitely recommend spending a day basking in the Miami sun. There are a number of restaurants and bars up and down the beach walk to grab a bite or a drink!
– Versace Mansion: Even though this is a huge tourist attraction, the Versace mansion is still a cool place to visit or stop by at least once! The dining area and fountain is beautiful, I actually enjoyed my time there when I went. I still think about their tableside tiramisu from time to time..

Whether you are looking to relax or party it up, Miami is the perfect vacation destination!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shoutout my parents, Jenny Chan and Danny Yang. Over the years, my mom has become my best friend and mentor. I could not do this thing called life without her! She has shaped me to the woman I am today. She’s taught me everything I know from working hard to showing compassion for others. I don’t know where my life would be without her. My dad is always so encouraging when it comes to what I want to do in life. Even though he is not an affectionate person, he is always cheering for me in the sidelines. I appreciate both of them dearly, and I would not trade them for the world.

My friends also deserve recognition as well. A lot of them have been my voice of reason, my confidants, and my shoulder to cry on. They are the ones who taught me that it is okay to take a break and let loose sometimes, that life isn’t always so serious! Some I have known since childhood and others I’ve known for a few months or years. Either way, I hold each one of my friends close to my heart.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carmenyangg/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanggcarmenn/

Other: Food Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craveitwcarmz