Today we’d like to introduce you to Lucie Jiru
Hi Lucie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born in a very small town in the Czech Republic in the late 1980s. I was raised by hard working parents who always supported me in my choices. I was a very shy, timid child who never liked being the center of attention. In my late teens I got the opportunity to travel to the USA as an exchange student for my senior year of high school. As you can imagine, for a quiet person who never traveled alone across the ocean and whose English was not good, this was an extreme challenge. Not to mention the cultural shock. This one year, however, changed and shaped my life forever. That year I decided to pursue higher education. I wanted to expand my horizons and I was determined to one day become a successful independent woman in the USA. Today, about 17 years later, I have a career in behavioral health and I also work as a manager for a musician. I continue to work hard and I never ceased to challenge myself. It is my hope that reading these lines will perhaps inspire someone to follow their dreams.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Getting to where I am today has not been easy. Aside from the paperwork and all the red tape any foreigner has to go through, there have been many obstacles.
At the beginning, of course, I had to get comfortable speaking English and also had to be prepared for rejection. As any fresh graduate, I did not have a stellar resume and I knew that I’d have to work my way from bottom up. My first job paid under $8/hr, but I cherished it as much as any that followed after.
In the past 8 years I held about 7 different positions, but with each of those my experience grew and I felt more confident. I learned to not be afraid to want more, to better myself and to speak up for myself.
In 2022 I moved across the country, which was another big step in my life. It was financially and practically very demanding, but that’s to my tremendous support network, I made it all work. It was here in Kentucky where I took on additional job, further embracing the opportunities presented to me.
The main lesson from all these obstacles for me were to keep my eyes open, to not be afraid to dream big and to not shy away from changes.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I work as a utilization reviewer for the Emily Program. This company treats clients with eating disorders. My job is to communicate with clients’ insurance companies on regular basis and ensure their treatment will be covered.
Behavioral and mental health are a very important part of my life. I have worked in this field since 2018 and I feel that I truly found my calling.
I am a huge mental health advocate and being a part of a team who helps people every day is very rewarding.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Don’t be afraid to be different. Do what you know feels right, even if is different from you’re expected to do.
Don’t be discouraged by failures and rejection.
Be proactive, nor reactive. Research your options and continue expanding your horizons.
Work hard, be consistent.
And lastly, travel as much as you can. New places will give you new insights and deepen your understanding of who you are and where you’re at.
Shine bright, friends.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luciejiru?igsh=MTAyYzAxcWxpdHVjNA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/AioG9LYqrCEswEXg/?mibextid=qi2Omg
