Oct 20 2022

Paying forward a culture of inclusivity

By Meta Careers
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“I didn’t have many opportunities growing up, and I want to make sure the people who come after me do.”
Javier L. has always had a passion for technology. “When I was growing up in Colombia, gadgets were a really cool thing to have,” he reminisces. “I wanted them from an early age, but I didn’t have the resources to get them.”
"Javier as a child, standing outside in front of greenery"
As a child, Javier enjoyed playing outside in Colombia where he grew up
Now an Enterprise Support Technician on the Helpdesk team in London, Javier reflects on how his personal experiences have shaped his work, his passion for community and what it means to feel a sense of belonging.

Championing diversity, inclusion and community

When Javier first joined Meta, he was struck by the fast-paced culture. In the early days, he focused on getting up-to-speed on his new role, meeting with people from across the company, adjusting to working across different time zones and gathering a lot of knowledge so he’d be set up for long-term success.
After about a year, Javier discovered Meta’s Resource Groups—internal networks of people who share similar values of supporting and encouraging diversity—and began to build his own community. He joined different groups to connect with team members across the company, and that’s when he decided he wanted to do more. “I found that I was happiest and thriving during moments when I was able to help someone else feel a sense of belonging or deeper meaning,” he says. “So many of these moments were centered on diversity, inclusion and bringing people together.”
Shortly thereafter, Javier and some of his teammates started the Latin@ Meta Resource Group in London. “I wanted to create a safe space for people like me who flourish while connecting with others and enjoy a community setting. I also wanted to include people who identified as allies,” he says. “This is really important and it’s not just about ticking a box. You need to actually do the work, follow through and show up and represent the people you align yourself with.”
"Javier on the sidewalk of a busy city street"
Javier takes in the sights of San Francisco

Overcoming imposter syndrome

Despite his successes, resilience and strong entrepreneurial spirit, Javier says that he’s managed feelings of imposter syndrome throughout his career. “When I first came to Meta over two years ago, I spent a lot of time reminding myself that I was, in fact, actually at the company. Early on I started to question, ‘Am I in the right place? Did they make a mistake?’”
Through his conversations with others, Javier learned that many people also share this mutual feeling. By focusing on impact and following his passions, Javier overcame his initial fears and later went on to give an inspiring talk to others on how to overcome imposter syndrome. “My goal was to let people know that we don’t need to be so hard on ourselves. I wanted people to walk away with one key message: ‘Don’t be so hard on yourself, you’re doing okay.’”
He continues, “I’m from Colombia. I didn’t finish college or know anything about IT, and 10 years later, I’m here at Meta. I’m living proof that you don’t need an advanced degree to make your dreams come true. I’ve learned it’s all about believing in yourself, seizing opportunities, seeking out the good and making a continual effort to learn and grow.”

A sense of belonging

“I knew that a positive company culture was a must-have when I was searching for a new opportunity, but I would never have guessed how involved and truly supportive people are here,” Javier says. “There’s room to explore and grow, and there’s community for everyone. We work together to create and maintain the culture, and that’s truly been a huge inspiration for me.”
“I want people to feel a sense of belonging the minute they start at the company,” he explains. “I didn’t have many opportunities growing up, and I want to make sure the people who come after me do.”
Knowing that a fast-paced environment can also be intimidating at times, Javier also emphasizes the importance of showing vulnerability. “I open myself up to others first. I think setting the groundwork in a conversation makes it easier to connect.” His approach works: He’s often told that he puts people at ease and that listening is his superpower.
“A lot of my skills and passion for working within communities comes from my experience growing up,” Javier says. “If I could go back in time, I wouldn’t change anything. Everything I’ve done has brought me here, and I love where I am today.”
This post, originally published on November 17, 2020, was updated on October 20, 2022, to reflect our shift to Meta and new details about team members, roles and responsibilities.

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