Celebrating Latin Heritage at TikTok!

We spoke with Virginia, Lucy, and Gerardo about all the ways they bring their full selves to work – as Latin people, as working parents, and as TikTok employees who strive to inspire creativity and joy every day.

"Growing up, I did not have a network of Latina professionals to look to for career advice, mentorship and support," says Lucy Salgado, a Partnerships Manager on the Global Business Solutions team. "That's why it is important to me to help support any fellow Latinas/Latinos, looking for professional advice." Salgado is able to do this as one of the leaders of SOMOS, TikTok's employee resource group (ERG) dedicated to embracing, celebrating, and advocating for Latin teammates at the company. "SOMOS is forming a community that understands my experience, and has been on the same path as me is invaluable."

For Gerardo Orozco, a Client Solutions Manager for financial services, who identifies as a "Mexican Dad", a career at TikTok appealed to him due to the company's flat structure and openness to new perspectives. "Titles shouldn't be the end goal," he says. "Being happy and feeling fulfilled is more important to me than anything now. And working at TikTok, I always feel comfortable sharing my opinion." Orozco adds that it is empowering to be embraced by a team that "allows me to be my full self."

As of 2021, just 8% of United States' employees in the tech industry identify as Latin or Hispanic. Many people of color, women, and other minorities in an industry that has historically been overwhelmingly white and male suffer from imposter syndrome, or self-doubt that they "deserve" their role and accolades. This is often due to not seeing people like themselves represented in similar positions or fields of work.

"I always felt I had to work harder to prove I deserved to be at every job I've ever had," Orozco says. It was challenging for him to overcome people's expectations of what someone in financial services looked or dressed like. "I have tattoos and wore my Jordans to the office," he says. "People would look at me and assume I wasn't professional, but my style came from where I grew up and that's how I'm comfortable. It was draining, until I found a home at TikTok."

"I understand how it feels to not quite be a part of one community or the other," says Virginia Camacho, who says being raised by an immigrant family in Nashville often made her feel like an outsider – "Not American but not quite Mexican either. So I proudly serve both and try to serve my community and provide representation through the little things here at TikTok." In addition to being a member of SOMOS, Camacho, "[wears] my roots with pride, and participates in conversations at the company that allow me to grow and provide my unique perspective."

Camacho, who works on the United States Data Security E-commerce Governance team, came to TikTok because she wanted to create a positive impact on technology for her daughter. "I wanted my daughter to see you can be a mother and hold a career that provides value to your community," she says. "Policy and risk minimization have always fascinated me, because we have the opportunity to protect both the company and the consumer."

"The experience of motherhood also helped me foster qualities such as patience, adaptability and resilience, all of which can be of value in the workplace," says Salgado. "Having open communication and frequent collaboration with my team at TikTok helps maintain work-life balance, while still achieving my professional goals."

Above all, TikTok strives to provide employees ample space to celebrate diverse cultures and share their life experiences.

"When the opportunity comes, I want my son and daughter to have the same chance as anyone in whatever industry they want to go into," says Orozco. "By bringing my authentic Latino self to work every day, it makes the world a more welcoming place through representation. Puro Orgullo Mexicano!"

"At TikTok, I have had the opportunity to grow as a professional and work with diverse and talented teams," Camacho adds. "We are at a moment where our impact at TikTok can shift the direction of tech companies in social media and E-Commerce for years to come. When you work here, you get to be a part of something exciting, where you can provide intentional value every day – and you get to be unapologetically yourself."

When you begin a career at TikTok, you'll work at a company that values your identity as much as your work. The differences in cultures, backgrounds, and experiences we bring to the table lead to new ideas and inspiration that's infinite.

Explore career opportunities with us today >