Hi everyone, It’s Me! Jazmine Harrison, Associate Director – Diversity in Talent Attraction.
I feel honored to share my journey thus far with AT&T. I am always shocked (read hesitant eek) when I am asked to talk about myself. Partly because I know I am still finding my place in the sun, so to speak, and investing in the dream means sharing MY story.
However, to whom much is given, MUCH is required. So let’s get into it!
I am a native of Charlotte, North Carolina and I am super family oriented. I am the oldest daughter to two amazing parents who have been married for 40 years this year! I have one sister who I am very close to and now a very proud “TiTi” to two of the most precious little nephews ever!
Currently I reside in Atlanta, GA and l ’m loving every minute of it!
I grew up in a family where love, authenticity, and appreciation of history – my history – was just weaved into the fabric of who we are. My parents always taught my sister and I to honor not only what we do but know we reflect them EVERYWHERE we go. I know their example is where my love for investing in my community took root.
Whether it was participating in events at St. Augustine’s University with my father who was a key part of launching the radio station there at the university OR watching my mother shatter glass ceilings so effortlessly in her career— intentionality, success and empowerment have gone hand in hand.
My career journey started in 2008 on a whim after graduation from THE North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (#AGGIEPRIDE – my aggies know I had to say it like that) in 2007. I knew I wanted to move to Atlanta where I had interned previously with CNN. Any job that would bring me to that dream I would have taken.
I started with AT&T in the National Dispatch Center as a Field Assist Manager. It was HARD. I mean HARD. Did I mentioned I graduated with a degree in Business Marketing and NOT engineering?! Whew what a learning curve. That role stretched me more than anything I could have ever imagined. However, it was certainly the foundation of fully understanding the importance of transferrable skills.
I’ve navigated through my career with intention, being sure to give myself grace along the way. I didn’t learn the grace part until much later, but I eventually got it. LOL!
From Network Ops, deploying Ethernet to communities in N. Florida, to Talent Development, leading DEI specific strategy for partner organizations…I count it all as joy because now I’m able to be a voice in rooms for others where they may or may not feel seen.
Part of being in that room means I get to elevate and promote projects where my passion and purpose align. The 2nd Annual AT&T HBCU Innovation Challenge is a perfect example! Student teams from HBCU’s across the country come together to create technical solutions addressing specific problems, from climate change and bridging the digital divide to connecting teachers and their students. All vying to win prizes totaling over $100k while impacting people’s lives! Working on events like this are true full circle moments. I was once the student that needed a chance…. for that one person to see the something special in me that I was raised to embody.
Authenticity.
It’s been one of the key ingredients to my success here at AT&T. It’s one of the things I love most about being here.
So, as I continue to evolve in my career, I am reminded to lift as I climb and to empower others to do so as well!
Invest in YOUR #LifeAtATT. Take the first step.
