Jessie Huang is a Brand Specialist for YouTube at Google, where she specialises in the implementation and operations side of YouTube advertising.
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1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?
Sure — most of my career background is in marketing and advertising for startups, agencies, and now, a tech company.
Currently, I’m a Brand Specialist for YouTube at Google. I specialize in the implementation and operations side of YouTube advertising for very large clients, whose goals involve branding. I work primarily alongside Sales and provide consultative support on a number of key, brand advertising products offered by YouTube.
2) What does a day in the life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?
I work from home most mornings, and get into the office around 11AM to lunchtime. If it’s not winter time, I usually rise around 6AM for a run and workout at the gym, before getting my work duties started.
Once I get into the office, I immediately answer any urgent pings or emails, to get the guilt of temporarily being unavailable in transport off my chest.
My job is mostly done through a case / ticket system, via a platform where I’m able to “pick up” requests filed from Sales. A large bulk of my day is working to close out the cases I’ve taken on.
Another bulk of my role involves being the Team Lead for a couple products related to Brand Lift and General Data Protection Regulation. Don’t know how much I can say, so I won’t go into detail. This work is a lot more cross-functionally collaborative and creative, so I enjoy that I get to do both analytical and imaginative work everyday.
3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine?
Absolutely, per my previous answer. I’m very grateful for the flexible accomodations I have.
4) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?
To me, work-life balance occurs when I feel like I don’t need to sacrifice anything because of work. This could mean sacrificing “big things” like a trip abroad with friends, or “little things” like skipping a meal or workout.
I actually feel more off kilter when I have to sacrifice small things, because usually these entail habits and methods that have taken years of discipline for me to develop and sustain.
I’m lucky that my org places a large emphasis on work-life balance, which in turn allows people like me to set our own boundaries (as long as they’re reasonable). I guess I strive to achieve my type of work-life balance by setting my own priorities accordingly.
For example, consciously choosing to go take a walk in the park over a non-urgent work task.
5) What do you think are some of the best habits or routines that you’ve developed over the years to help you achieve success in your life?
Definitely prioritizing physical activity and health over anything: both of these involve discipline and listening to yourself.
6) What is the number one thing you do to make sure you get the most out of your day?
I have a habit of keeping several to-do lists, both at home and at work. The positive effect is two-fold: it helps reduce meaningless mental clutter, and I rarely ever forget to follow through on something.
7) Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?
Just want to emphasize the fact that nobody really knows what they’re doing, and that’s what makes life so fun and entertaining.
If you’d like to have a conversation with us about how you balance the grind, get in touch with us!
