Why First-Gen Professionals Get Trapped At Work And What To Do Instead To Get Promoted | Rachel Lee

Why working harder won't get you promoted—and what first-gen professionals need to do instead. Big Law and corporate America often reward overworking, staying quiet, and trying to fit into circles that were never built for you. In this episode, Rachel Lee (President and General Counsel of Stand with Asian Americans) joins host Samorn Selim (BigLaw attorney turned career coach) to pull back the curtain on the unwritten rules of corporate advancement. Rachel shares her journey as a first-generation immigrant, working student, and Big Law attorney who often carried double the workload. Together, they unpack the hidden costs of sponsorship gaps, how to escape the "worker bee" trap, and why true career success should never require self-erasure. If you’ve ever felt like you had to work twice as hard just to be seen, this conversation gives you the practical blueprint to build real power and strategic influence. In This Episode, We Cover: ▪️ Mentorship vs. Sponsorship: Why mentorship isn’t enough without sponsors advocating for you behind closed doors. ▪️ Tolerated vs. Welcomed: How to recognize when a workplace is merely tolerating you, and how to create your own circle. ▪️ The "Worker Bee" Trap: Why overworking traps first-gen professionals on the grinder path instead of leadership. ▪️ Affinity Groups as Launchpads: How community-building and voluntary leadership create real influence before you even have the title. ▪️ Transitioning with Purpose: How Rachel moved from Big Law into nonprofit advocacy while staying true to her values. ▪️ Workplace Justice & Rights: Understanding protected classes, assessing workplace discrimination, and how Stand with Asian ▪️ Americans provides legal education, mental health resources, and bystander support. Timestamps & Chapters: 00:52 – Meet Rachel Lee 01:59 – Growing up first-generation and becoming an advocate 05:25 – The unwritten rules of corporate America 06:08 – Financial pressure and choosing Big Law 08:27 – Mentors, allies, and finding meaningful work 10:13 – The “worker bee” track and unequal expectations 12:28 – Why sponsorship matters for career growth 14:00 – Finding or creating your own circle 17:36 – Building leadership through an affinity group 20:07 – Turning identity into a career strength 22:08 – What truly makes someone a leader 22:36 – Why Rachel left Big Law for nonprofit advocacy 26:01 – Workplace justice, DEI, and community support 31:16 – Understanding workplace discrimination 33:03 – Beyond legal answers: holistic community support 35:04 – Immigrant rights and preparing to help 37:13 – Bystander guidance: safety assessment and documentation 39:11 – Activism, service, and self-care 41:21 – Protecting your energy as a first-gen professional 42:15 – Connect with Rachel Lee 43:54 – Trusting your instincts and recognizing your strengths Connect & Resources: ▪️ Connect with Rachel Lee On LinkedIn   / rachelsaranglee   and Instagram @rachelsaranglee ▪️ Learn more about our guest, Rachel Lee, on LinkedIn at   / rachelsaranglee   and Instagram @rachelsaranglee ▪️ Follow our host, Samorn Selim, on LinkedIn at   / samornselim  . Recommended Books: ▪️ Career Unicorns™ 90-Day 5-Minute Gratitude Journal: An Easy & Proven Way To Cultivate Mindfulness, Beat Burnout & Find Career Joy: https://tinyurl.com/49xdxrz8. ▪️ Career Unicorns™ 90-Day 5-Minute Self-Reflection Journal: An Easy & Proven Way To Find Career Clarity, Purpose & Fulfillment: https://tinyurl.com/nnu8k5rd. ▪️ Belonging: Self Love Lessons From A Workaholic Depressed Insomniac Lawyer: https://tinyurl.com/4z6erw7v Career Coaching, Trainings & Keynotes ▪️ Schedule a free consult by sending a message at https://www.careerunicorns.com/.