Celebrating API at TikTok!

May is Asian and Pacific Islander (API) Heritage Month, where we honor the contributions and history of the diverse API community. We spoke to Kayla and Shikha about how they celebrate their identities, find community at TikTok, and feel empowered to bring their authentic selves to work.

Tell us about your role.

Kayla: Hi, I'm Kayla Wong! I'm a Talent Acquisition Partner for TikTok based in Los Angeles. Since joining October 2021, I oversee hiring for various Research and Development teams.

Shikha: My name is Shikha Badlani, and I started at TikTok in July 2022. I am an Agency Partnerships Manager based in New York City.


How did your career journey lead you to TikTok?

Kayla: During my undergrad years, I aimed to pursue a career in Career Services. While getting my masters, I landed an internship at PlayStation's San Francisco office. I had a blast going to my first E3 gaming expo and learning about the recruiting process!
A few years into my career, I transitioned to TikTok, where I work as a full life cycle recruiter. That means I oversee the entire hiring process. It's an amazing experience, and I enjoy being a part of a fast-paced, creative, and collaborative environment. I'm excited to see where my journey at TikTok takes me next.

Shikha: My career journey began during my time as an undergraduate student at Drexel University, through their immersive co-op program. This innovative program supports students in gaining real-world experience through internships. Instantly, I found that this was my preferred way of learning—hands-on experience with the support of trusted mentors. When I saw this role at TikTok, I was excited for the opportunity to apply my past experience and the challenge of building a long term partnership with advertising agencies. And of course, I get to watch and make TikToks for a living! I have learned so much about the advertising industry and sales, and I am fortunate to be experiencing this part of my career at one of the world’s fastest growing platforms.


As a member of the API community, how has your identity shaped the way you navigate your professional life?

Kayla: As a Chinese-American woman, my cultural background and upbringing have played a significant role in who I am today. I was raised in the outskirts of Los Angeles County. It didn't have a large Chinese population at the time, which made it challenging to connect with my cultural roots. However, my parents made a concerted effort to keep our traditions alive and expose us to different aspects of Chinese culture, which I'm grateful for.

My experience as a Chinese-American woman has also shaped the way I navigate my professional life. I'm always aware of the need for representation and inclusivity in the workplace. It has also taught me to embrace my cultural identity and not be afraid to bring my whole self to work.

Overall, being part of the API community has taught me to value diversity, inclusivity, and cultural awareness in both my personal and professional life. It has also given me a unique perspective on the world, which I believe has helped me to be more empathetic and open-minded. I'm grateful to work for TikTok, which champions these values as much as I do.

Shikha: I was born and raised in a part of Southern California with a large Asian population. When my parents immigrated to the US from India in the 90s, they quickly found and built connections with other nearby South Asians. By the time I was growing up, the South Asian community in the area was flourishing. I was able to train in Indian dance forms (Bollywood and Bharata Natyam) and went to Hindu religious classes, all a short distance from my home. Because of this, I never really felt like a minority among my peers.

However, what stuck out to me were the stereotypes connected to the model minority myth. Teachers often remarked on the subjects, like STEM, that they expected Asian students to excel in or the career choices that they expected us to make. I often didn’t fit into this mold, as someone who gravitated towards creative pursuits such as dance, fashion, and the arts. In college, I was able to make room to pursue both my creative and analytical interests through dance, marketing, and business, while not feeling confined to traditional STEM fields. I’ve found my sweet spot in this intersection of skills, which I’ve been able to deepen and grow at TikTok as an Agency Partnerships Manager.


What is something you wish was discussed more about being API in the workplace?

Kayla: API is not a monolithic group, but rather a diaspora with a wide range of experiences and identities. API come from countless countries and cultural backgrounds, and may have different levels of fluency in English or other languages, educational backgrounds and financial resources. As a result, the API community can face unique challenges in the workplace, such as navigating cultural differences or dealing with financial or educational barriers.
Overall, I believe that it's important to recognize and value the diversity within the API community, and to create a workplace culture that is inclusive and supportive of all API identities and experiences.

Shikha: There is so much diversity within the API community, and I think that is truly beautiful. In terms of API in the tech industry, it’s important to avoid assumptions and stereotypes. Some of the common stereotypes about API in tech are that we all have common skill sets, roles, or even behaviors – it’s not far from the stereotypes we see in the media!


What were some challenges that you faced in your career and how did you overcome them?

Kayla: A challenge I've faced is building community in the workplace. I believe that having a supportive network of colleagues is crucial to personal and professional growth. However, it can be challenging to find like-minded people in a large organization or when beginning a new role. To overcome this, I seek out employee resource groups (ERGs) and other affinity groups that align with my values and interests, such as ARISE, a community of API employees at TikTok, or Women in Tech.

Attending events held by ARISE and other ERGs helps me stay connected to the API community and contribute to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace culture.

Shikha: A challenge I've faced in my career that I continue to work on overcoming is imposter syndrome. There have been moments of doubt in my abilities or feeling like I haven't earned my accomplishments. I am thankful that I am surrounded by leaders and mentors at TikTok that support me and provide validation for all the work I do.


When do you feel most seen at TikTok? How do you find community with other employees here?

Kayla: I feel the most seen and welcome at TikTok when I'm able to bring my whole self to work and feel accepted for who I am. The culture at TikTok values authenticity and inclusivity, which has created a welcoming environment where I can be myself without fear of judgement or discrimination. Additionally, the support and recognition I've received from my colleagues and managers has helped me feel seen and valued for my contributions to the team.
In terms of finding community at TikTok, I've been involved in ARISE, which has been a great way to connect with other API at the company and participate in events and initiatives that are important to me. Networking and building relationships with colleagues across departments has helped me feel more connected to the broader TikTok community.

Shikha: I feel most seen and welcome at TikTok when my leaders and peers recognize and acknowledge my contributions to the team. I have found a community at TikTok both through exciting opportunities in my role and through ARISE. In my role, I supported the launch of the TikTok x Sephora Incubator Program. This program worked to celebrate diversity, intersectionality, and build a lasting educational framework for how brands can engage in DEI-first creator partnerships.

Outside of my role, ARISE has been an incredible resource for me to show up for my community. I have had the joy of not only planning cultural celebrations like Diwali and Holi, but also learning about all of the different ethnicities and cultures within the API community.

From the community found in ERGs to external projects launched to expand DEI efforts on the platform, TikTok aims to celebrate and champion diversity all year long. Join a company that encourages people to bring their whole selves to work. Check out open roles here.