We caught up with the brilliant and insightful David Hu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi David, thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?
Sheltered and alone is an understatement for David Hu, a first generation American raised by Chinese immigrants. David faced racial, social and financial hardship trying to fit in, and meet his parent’s cultural expectations of a good education and a job in the future. Through his journey of adversity David has dealt with depression, insecurity, alienation and eventually health issues. The OutCast is the story of David coming to terms with his struggles and learning that leaving his guard down is not a weakness, but a strength!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hi my name is David “Dave” Hu. I am a Technology Thought Leader and Storyteller in the FInancial Industry. Encompassing Senior Level Executives to empower and leverage Technology to communicate and collaborate effectively with Colleagues, Clients and Stakeholders. I never expected to end up in the Financial Industry nor every thought of being a Storyteller.
Right after college. I got a job at a Major Publishing Company in Midtown. I knew since Day-1 I was going to start and end my career there. I was right. I got fired after 6-months. It was shocking and devasting to lose my 1st job straight out of college. This left a Stigma on me. All my close friends abandoned me because I lost my job and wasn’t worth their time. Future employers never gave me the time or day because I got fired. I was in a dark place and depressed. The support of my parents and my sister got me back on my feet.
I took a job on a Construction Site. Putting up a new Office Building. Unpacking boxes of Computers in a hot and stuffy Storage Room. Humbling when you are making minimum wage. Degrading when your manager was John. This tough stocky guy from Long Island. Reminds me of Tony Soprano from the hit TV Series The Sopranos. He taught me a-lot about not wearing my heart on my sleeve and toughened my skin.
I worked on the Construction Site for over a year and ended up applying for a job. Once that Office Building was finished. It was a Bank. That’s how I started my career in the Financial Industry. Fixing computers on a Trading Floor.
Over time I did really well at my job and the current manager at the time wanted to put me up for promotion. However, my manager wanted me to improve my communication skills. I alway had a fear of Public Speaking and refrained from doing any type of interaction. That’s why I did so well at my job fixing computers. I recall my manager told me “No matter how good you are at your job. If you can’t articulate what you do. You are limiting yourself from advancement”!
One night I took advice from my friend Robbie who is an actor to take Storytelling. Skeptic at 1st. As the way Robbie described the class. It sounded like a glorified Slumber Party. Where everyone sits in a circle. Each person stands up and tells a true story about their life. After each person is done. Everyone in the circle critiques their story.
Desperate. I took the class and loved it!
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
My problems were not just in the neighborhood I lived in. It was the school I attended. I had difficulty focusing. I was put in the Resource Room. Classroom for kids with Special Needs. Just like a regular classroom but smaller. It was myself and 2 other kids. Throughout the years. I felt sheltered and alone. Always staring out the window of the door. Wondering how it would feel being like the rest of the kids in school.
These adversities I dealt with as a child and through my adult life taught me to persevere through these challenges. Seeing my parents struggle inspired me as well!
I always thought being an Outcast sucked! Looking back. It taught me to see the world through a different perspective. Taking risks opened paths to new opportunities that made me the success I am today.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Yes. Storytelling has truly taught me a-lot by myself. The struggles I have been going through my entire life with fitting in. I strongly encourage everyone to engage in Storytelling!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @davehu718
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davehu718
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhu718/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@davehu718