- How big is, I know going over it, we went through a lot of mental health challenges. Now we have to cover it. How big is mental health as far as the importance of mental health these days? Do you notice Nicole? - So like whenever like people ask me, like some people would think that mental health is a generational thing. I've been into, I guess, in like some panels and conferences the past few months. And there's a notion that, oh, it's just like the problem of younger people nowadays. But I disagree, like for me, like mental health issues and problems have always been there. It's just that we didn't have the same kind of media that we have now. We don't have like the same kind of communication rules as we have now. (dramatic music) (dramatic music) (dramatic music) - Hello, everyone. Welcome to the Career Education Learning Center podcast. I'm your host, Matthew Rivers. I am thrilled and delighted to have Nicole Golioso on our show today. Nicole is a mental health advocate, a mentor, HR professional, keynote speaker and educator. I know ladies and gentlemen, she wears a lot of hats, but we're gonna get to know this young lady today. Nicole, tell the audience a little bit about yourself and your journey to your career. - Okay, hello, everyone. Thank you, Mitchell for that introduction. I'm Nicole. I am based in Singapore currently, but I am originally from the Philippines. I did live like different cities, like even in the States for a while before, I was like, I lived in LA for a while. But like I, what my current job is, I work for a mechanical world group. We are a full service agency, mostly like marketing and advertising stuff. I've been with a company for over five years, but currently I'm the director of human resources and corporate communications for Singapore and Hong Kong. And I'm also the regional DEI lead for APAC. So yeah, I mean, like how I got here, I think like, that's a very, very long answer. - Yeah, I did. (laughs) - I did start my career in HR a little over 10 years ago, but I was never planning to be an HR. The plan was for me to become a lawyer. I took up psychology as a pre-law course, but my parents said that, oh, like before you go into law school, why don't you try working first for a year? And when you're taking up psychology, the most sensible career path will probably be in HR if you're not going as a clinical psychologist. So I did like start in HR. I was working in the biggest telco in the Philippines for about four years and never got out of it anymore. Never got into law school. I did have like some part of life crisis after the four years. I went into marketing for two years before getting back into HR. It was like a whirlwind of a career, but I am where I am now, and I'm very, very happy with where it got me eventually. - Well, I tell you what, Nicole, I wanted to go into marketing when I came out of school. And unfortunately my school I went to, you don't see Pembroke at that time in alpha marketing. And so they offered business management. And so that kind of forced me to go into retail management into banking and finance. And so I think you're fortunate to be able to marketing. How was that marketing experience? - That was good because like now that I work in the marketing and advertising industry, it actually really helped me also, like I can relate to our people well. But at the same time, because like part of my job is also employer branding, HR communications and all that, like having that knowledge and marketing like helps me make sure that, you know, I'm not the typical HR that, you know, I know like usually like, there's this stereotype that HR are, they're like your principals in school in school, right? I think like there's that notion that, you know, HR people are just waiting for you to make a mistake. They're like boring, like their job is to just pay you, give you a memo and all of that. But I've been on a mission to change that. And I think like my background in sales and marketing somehow, you know, in the middle of my career has helped me get to that stage where in, you know, I'm an HR professional, but I'm also a creative type of an HR professional. - So you're able to put a little mafia in the sales all into your HR, not the typical HR professors are gonna go like a robot, right? What do you need? What can I help you with? Did you evaluate any rules? Was anything valuable towards you, you know, that kind of robot thing? You're trying to put some wipers into the HR, huh? - That's true. And you know, like it helps you like connect what people will do, you know, like if once you start changing their perception about HR, like now, you know, like the people I serve, they're not scared to talk to HR. Like, you know, like I would get, you know, I would sometimes get close in like, like Nicole, I just like need to cry or Nicole, I just like need someone to talk to. Can you be that for me? And you know, I think like, again, like that, that's reaffirming in a sense because like, yeah, like maybe they're changing how they view HR. - They are, I mean, I never call my HR person for that. I think that's fantastic, Nicole. I think that you put them more and relax and then ease. And if most HR people like you, I think there'll be more people, you know, feeling comfortable about calling HR about some problems, but also about some good things that's happening in the company. Do you ever hear good things that's happening in the company? Is it all bad news? - Yeah, no, like, I mean, like definitely not. Like I have, like, you know, I think especially when I moved to Singapore, like I'm like, I'm very, very proud of what I've achieved so far in this space because like my purpose in life is really to help people. And, you know, for me to see how that like purpose of myself and my life is translating also into the work that I do. And people appreciate that. That is a big deal. - Well, yeah, it is very big deal. You know, you want to be as an individual, a person of what you do knowing you're trying your best and doing a good job. And so that's one of the things that, you know, as I tell students all the time is that, you know, you want to go to a job or have a career and something that you enjoy, that you have passion about, you know. Have you always wanted to go into HR? Or when did you realize that maybe college? Hey, I'm going to try HR. - No, no, like I mentioned, like HR was just like a stopover supposed to be, you know, but like I never left it. But I think like, I always say that wherever I'm able to help people, that's where I'm supposed to be. So like in the work that I do in HR, as well as like when I was an educator, I was like teaching in university for over eight years alongside my full-time job in HR also. And like for me, like that's like fulfilling, you know. And I'm able to contribute one way or another in the growth of other people. And I'm seeing my students, you know, my employees succeed in their own way. I may not be like the sole person who may have impacted their success. But you know, if you help one way or another, make them see like, you know, their career path in life. I mean, I think that's what makes me realize that maybe I'm in the right spot. It's good that I'm in HR. I can make a difference. It's also now that I'm in the leadership role. I have more influence and power to make a positive difference in the lives of people. - Yes, and you also taught at the university. So what is your educational journey? Did you go to a four university, four year school or college and get to my degree or how is your educational journey and how does that help you in HR today? - Yeah, so I went to university in the Philippines, Delasal University. So our school like follows a trimester system. So instead of like having a four year bachelor's degree and equivalent for that, like you can actually finish a four year course in three years. So I did finish my bachelor's degree in psychology in three years. I did graduate with honors. I was like very active also in extracurricular activities in college. I was active in our student government. I was also part of a dance crew. I was like this all around kid, I guess. And after that, I did pursue my master's in industrial organizational psychology because since I already got into HR and it wouldn't make sense for me to go into law school anymore. So might as well like do something related to HR and study something related to HR. Hence, I went to like an I got I/O psychology for my master's. How did the teaching come into play? Right after I graduated university, I was invited to teach in the school where I graduated from. And the course that I was teaching was called like personality effectiveness. I think, you know, like the objective of this course is quite similar to the objective of your podcast. So my students are usually senior students about the graduate college. And the course is focusing on like how do you prepare them for life outside of work that may involve like, how do you edit your resume for instance? How do you approach job interviews? How do you look for a job? How do you make yourself marketable? And then like also, you know, sharing to students our own journeys like as professionals also because most often the not like, you know, like when you reach a certain point in your career and like people see you, they sometimes think like, oh, you're not human, you're probably, like even me, you know, I think I rose up to the career ladder quite fast at an early age. And, you know, people would sometimes feel like, oh, you're probably, you know, one of those lucky ones that I hear, you're not like a human. And then, but they don't know like the backstory of that. I am a mental health advocate for Irvison. I did suffer from depression for over 13 years. And most people, and you know, I was high functioning during that whole period. And most people wouldn't see that and wouldn't know that if they don't talk to me. So yeah, like when I got into the academia, like it's actually maybe how I also got clarity on my purpose in life. You know, when I started teaching, I didn't realize that teaching is something that I would never do. But it was funny because like when I started like teaching, I went back into my high school at some point. I was, I also taught an elective in my high school. And one of my teachers said, oh, like I, like, you remember like when you were in first year high school, like I told you that you'll be back here teaching someday. (both laughing) I never remembered her saying that. That like, okay, right. I didn't see that coming, but here I am. - You know, you just don't know the twists and turns and go on to your life, do you? I mean, you think you want to go one way and you end up going another way. And so, you know, I tell students all the time that, you know, do asynchronous activities that you said you're done in college in high school, you know, do other things. How much does that help you as far as making you more of a whole person, not only just studying, but doing out things outside of studying. How does that help you as far as becoming a person who you are today? - I think like, you know how they say that not everything you learn in school, you actually get to apply in real life. And even if I was an honors student most of my life, when you, if I probably join, are you smarter than a fifth grader? I will fail at it. (laughing) Probably not able. But I think, you know, like when I look back now, it's not really what you read in books and, you know, what you get to memorize while you're in school that will help you once you start working. What will, I think what will help you the most, especially if you're still a student, is the kind of attitude that you will use, that you are using in, you know, in your schoolwork. Like, you know, you developing perseverance, you developing resilience, time management. And like, for me, like growing up, my mom was, my parents were not like strict that, oh, you have to be an honors student all the time. We were not like that. But my mom was very, very strict with our schedules. Ever since like, I don't know, like for babies, I was like, I started schooling at an early early age. I started, because I wanted to be in school early. I started schooling at two years old because I was the one requesting for it. And, you know, like, but my mom, like both my parents were working. So we would have her nannies and my mom would set the schedule that, oh, by this time, say, by this time, you should be doing your homework, by this time, you should be eating this time. So we had that strict schedule. And, you know, when you were a kid, you kind of hated it because, you know, like, my cousins or my playmates are already outside playing. And here I am studying, or here I am like still reading books and stuff like that. But as I grew older, like that habit, I was able to bring with me even now. So, like, I really, I think I would really give credit to that, that strict parenting in a way that, you know, like, that was given to me in the work ethic that I have currently, you know, like, I work fast, not inefficiently because I'm able to distribute my time well, use my time well. I rarely procrastinate. Which is, you know, it's different for everybody, I must say. But at least for me, that's how it was. And me being, I think, well-rounded, like, growing up, it was not just academics, right? Like, I was active in singing. I was active in dancing. And you had a lot of these extracurricular activities. I was also doing a lot of volunteering growing up, even up to now. So, I mean, that gave, like, I think that made me, like, a more holistic person. It made me have a wider perspective of the world. And I get to use that, you know, the way you empathize with people, the way you understand people, engage with people now that I am working. - Yeah, I mean, you should a lot of get things there on doing that segment. I love it because one thing you said that I was accustomed to myself is that my mom and dad was teachers. And my mom was an English teacher. And yes, he had a schedule to where, and that reminded me, you said about your friends, your cousins, my friends were the same way. My mom had me do her own summer school, right? And she had me reading, doing stuff. And I used to tell my mom, you know, I don't want to do that. And I said it one time to her, and she had to use discipline on me. And I never said it again. (laughing) And so that discipline and those critical activities, with my parents also had me in a lot of critical activities. And the boy scouts, playing sports, doing activities and stuff. I think that makes you a more red-wanted person. And some of the lessons that you take from there, you're in a pride when you get older. And like it makes you more empathetic to our people, have more stability to our people. And I think they feel more comfortable with you when they can relate to you. So I think that you're being a relatable person, when you're sort of now, you're a relatable person, that I think it made people feel at ease. And so when I taught the students, I said, like you said before, but smart and then butts and stuff, and all the time, it's fine. It's great, and you need that. But also, you need to make yourself whole. You know, let people know who you are. And you go up and down the line, but let people know who you are, and just let them come in a little bit, and then they'll open up to you. And that way, any problems that they may have, it may be easier to get to and solve, or at least get them help what they need. And that way, it's solved the problem, because they feel comfortable with you. You know, how big is, I know during COVID, we went through a lot of mental health challenges. Now we asked the COVID, how big is mental health, as far as the importance of mental health these days? Do you notice, Nicole? - I think like, so like whenever like people ask me, like some people would think of that mental health, is a generational thing. I've been into, you know, I've been, I guess, in like some panels and conferences the past few months. And, you know, there's a notion that, oh, it's just like the problem of younger people nowadays. But I disagree, like for me, like mental health issues and problems have always been there. It's just that we didn't have the same kind of media that we have now. We don't have like the same kind of communication tools as we have now. Also like we have to remember like older generations were wired to somehow suppress their feelings and emotions. Like, you know, you talking about depression for instance, or anxiety can be a sign of weakness. And, you know, which is why in the past, even if it existed, people may not have been talking about it as much or as regularly as we want. But it's always been there. I think like we're fortunate now is that, you know, like more people are talking about it. But also I think the intensity of mental health issues nowadays are also amplified, which can be concerning social media. I feel placed a lot of that, like how we view ourselves, how we validate our worth is also impacting that. It is big for all ages really. And that's why it's like something that we continuously have to raise awareness on. And we continuously have to talk about it. - So the more about the age era, what type of men and students coming out, what type of candidates are you looking for when talking about hiring or getting a job these days? - I think like I go back to attitude. I feel like hard skills can be taught easily. Hard skills can be learned easily. But attitude, like the character of a person, the values that you stand for, you have to be clear on that. So when I go into interviews, yes, you still have minimum requirements that roles would look for. But ultimately, even if someone would have a very glowing resume, if they're rude for instance, if they're disrespectful, if they are entitled for instance, those are some of the things that you would try to avoid. So I think for the students who are listening, if there's something that you should invest in yourself coming into your interviews, I would always say number one would be self-awareness. There's this tool that I share to my students, even to my clients for coaching and mentoring. It's a self-awareness tool, it's not being fancy really. But I would usually ask them to get a piece of paper for simply put, get a piece of paper, and have different columns. Have a column for strengths, have a column for weaknesses, have a column for your values, your interests, have a column for your triggers, et cetera. And when you're not doing anything, just sit down in this brainstorm, don't think too hard. Just write whatever you can write. If I would think about my strength, just write anything and everything. It doesn't matter how long the list would be. And then once you're done with that exercise, you try to read it and you try to identify what are your top three to five in like every column that you would have. And whatever would be, the answer is there. That's what you use, like that's what you focus on. Like say if, you know, if your top three strengths would say this, then you try to amplify that strength. How can you use that strength and leverage on that strength in whatever job you are applying for? Similarly for your weaknesses, like your top three weaknesses, like what can you do to somehow improve on that weakness? And then when you go to like interviews, there are a very, very common HR interview questions that you encounter. And if you know this, if you're highly self aware, it will take the answers that you would have when you go into interviews, may come naturally to you. It also allows you to reflect on, you know, the kind of person that we are. Not everyone would exercise or practice self reflection as much. We think we know ourselves because we've been living in ourselves with ourselves our lives. But, you know, like when I make, when I make people do their exercise, and then I ask them, is there anything new that you learned about yourself? Or is there anything new that you realize doing this exercise? There's a whole lot of things that they're still able to say. And, you know, they would say like, I actually didn't think that I was this and I was that. And when you're self aware, like when you're talking, even when we talk about mental health for me, maybe that also helped me in my healing journey, like building on my self awareness. So, because I know my triggers, I know like when I need to like step back, I know when I need to, you know, like ask for help, things like that. So, yeah, like, so try to build up on your self awareness. And then, yeah, like once you have that, you know, you know, how to answer like HR interview questions more authentically. And yeah, like invest in your character as a person, your work ethics. - Yeah, I think that's fantastic what you said. That's something that we need to do as people, you know, you need to reveal who you are in a sense, right now, just character, your weakness, your strengths, and kind of get to know yourself a little bit more. You know, we think we know ourselves. And then, where certain triggers come up, or certain things come up, you know, then we really don't, you know, I know Americans saying where, you know, you know, you know, you know, as far as pressure make diamonds, right? Or stay up whole in a sense, right? When you come upon that pressure, when it's pressure for work or pressure make decisions, that's the true character. How do you react to that pressure really tells a lot who you are, how adversity and challenges come into your life, and how you handle that really, truly tells a person, or other people, how you are deep down. So if you can respond to a challenge, or something negative coming against you, in a positive way, that reflects character. But if you reflect in a negative way, or blame someone else when you was your fault, you know, then that tells a lot more about your character, and reveals a lot to people around you. So I think what you have given us today on this podcast, Nicole, is very valuable. I'm gonna use it myself and open up me if we were as a person. But are there any last parting words you want to say to our audience today? - I think like, you know, in all my thoughts, and in all my classes, there's this one phrase that I always share. It's been, it's not my original, but it's been my mantra. I heard it way back in college, but it's been my mantra ever since. And it goes every day in every way. I will get better and better. I will tell this to myself every day, at least three times in a day. When I feel like I'm not good enough, when I feel like the things that I'm doing are not really resulting to the way I want it to go, I tell myself this, because it's a great reminder that nothing is really put to waste. Everything that you're doing, we may not see the fruits of our labor immediately. You may not realize why certain things are happening in your life right now. But, you know, in time when you look back, and, you know, I had this first hand, when you look back, like, oh, that's why it happened to me. The painful things, the failures that we have experienced in life. And when you're young, I swear like there's a lot more of things that life will throw at you that you're not prepared for. You know, like for me, I thought before that, oh, like whatever failure that would come my way, I can easily overcome it. But when I was at the lowest point of my life, it wasn't as easy as I thought. Even like the strongest person in the world may, you know, may find it hard to get back up. So I remind myself this, every day and every way, I will get better and better. If there's something that you've done today that made you a better person somehow, that made you more human, that made you a kinder and a more empathetic person, if there's something that you have done that help you improve, or if you learn something new today, that is already progress. And, you know, you celebrate the small wins even, and, yeah, you keep on going. Life will not always be easy, but there's always hope. There's always a way to be better at something. - Well, I think you said it very eloquently and very good, something as simple as that. That's saying every day can really motivate you to do those hard times. So thank you so much, Nicole, for coming to our live show today. I really do appreciate it. - Thank you, thank you, Michelle, for this opportunity. I enjoyed this chat, and I hope it helps your listeners as well. - Well, and not only help my listeners, but also help me. So thank you so much for coming on, so. And I also would like to thank our viewers and listeners for joining me on another episode of the Career Education Learning Center podcast, where we make your career dreams and reality. God bless. (upbeat music) (upbeat music) (upbeat music) (upbeat music)
