WORK DAY VLOG: what my job is in corporate strategy, office day & ootd with VIVAIA, mentor vs. boss 

this was very requested and what perfect timing with these beautiful shoes 🤩 thank you so much vivaia, check out the Aria 5 here and use the code HONG for 15% off sitewide! bit.ly/3SfQRCP

I think your only mentor shouldn’t be your boss. There may come a time when the role you are in isn’t in alignment with your goals. This isn’t a conversation you’d want to have with your boss but instead a mentor who’s outside your role. That doesn’t mean a boss shouldn’t be a mentor, I think someone who coaches, pushes you into stretch projects and overall sponsors your career growth are all great characteristics to have in a boss and those opportunities may not come from a mentor you aren’t working for.

Love the reflection in the end!! I’m 27, and I’m an accountant for a Corporate Law Firm in downtown LA. I’ve been working corporate for 4 years and I can say that your bosses tend to start off as your mentors early in your career. I feel like it serves a purpose to have your boss/mentor be the same person early in your career since they see your work directly and can guide you. But later on I don’t think your boss should be your mentor because at that point in your career you’ve experience many leadership styles and your current boss may not be the leadership style you like/not the person you want to learn from. But I totally agree with your point on them being separate because it gives you room to vent to your mentor without that being reflected on your annual review.

yes, i'm on a hydration break at work watching some of Jenna's past Work Day vlogs- girl these are such relaxing and intelligent discussions. // as one of your older subscribers, I'm a millennial who had amazing mentors in my work career since i was about your age when i got my first corporate job in brand merchandise marketing here in New York City. in the office, i was the youngest at age 22 - and i had 2 direct mentors in their early 30s. they were really instrumental in helping me learn corporate etiquette, business dealings, and how to navigate my adulting life. aside from those mentors at work, i had a family friend (she's basically like my older cousin) who was my mentor. she sadly passed away in the fall of 2014, while i was reconstructing my career from sales marketing into IT / it was heartbreaking for my siblings and i bc she taught us so much about career choices but also doing things we enjoyed. today i live my life in accordance with what those mentors showed me. i became a mentor for youth in 2015 - 2017 because of that positive impact. Jenna, you're doing Great~! 💖🌟

I was so happy to see your video! I thought you were taking a well deserved break. I think a mentor is anyone who truly has your best interest at heart and wants to see your growth. Someone who isn’t afraid to tell you when you’re wrong, and gives guidance whether you’re in the same career field or not.

First off, GREAT video. I can definitely relate to your WFH videos and things you go through in your everyday life, etc. Thank you for sharing. To answer your question towards the end of the video: I think a boss makes sure you are doing the job correctly, making sure you are meeting deadlines and also helping/assisting you professionally; to help you become the best you can be in the field. If you are talking about a mentor in terms of someone that could help you develop/grow in your chosen career, I think this mentor has to be someone who's in the same industry or who's had experience in the industry you're currently in. But IMO, I think my mentor and boss would have to be 2 different people. In my current job, when my boss says something like "please reach out if you need anything or if you need to talk about anything." -- to me this means strictly professional/work-related things only! And when I can feel that my conversation between a boss/colleague is getting a little too personal, my responses will mostly be general and simple, or I change the subject in a subtle way--most of the time, they don't notice--and if they do, who cares?! Lol. Not to say that you can't find or make great work-friends that you can hang out with outside of work, because you can and you should. You can do whatever you please! It honestly really depends where you work and how your relationship is with your boss/coworkers. If you feel you can talk to your boss about anything or look up to them as a mentor, then good for you. But what I learned is to watch your back at work and be careful who you trust an let into your inner circle inside OR outside of work because people will talk about you no matter what. I just learned to keep it casual/friendly/professional but there will always be an unspoken boundary. And once you share something with your boss at work, you can't take it back. Imagine sharing a piece of information to the wrong person, for example -- and this is why I would like to keep the boss separate from a mentor -- as with a mentor, you can share more than just work-related things going on in your life and you can even talk about your boss. Anyway, thanks for reading!

I think who your mentor is really depends on what kind of job you have. As a teacher, I have had several mentors and they were always fellow teachers, never my boss (principal). This was fantastic because they had gone through the same process as myself and were able to help in multiple aspects of my job, without judgment or pressure to perform. However, before I started teaching, I worked in management and my boss was my mentor and it was great overall. I did feel like I got "docked points" anytime I had any kind of evaluation, because my mentor/boss knew what I struggled with (because I would ask them for help with it) and would make sure it was always present in the evaluation somehow.

I took today off work about two months ago just for a me day- turned it into a self care/mental health day!! SO amazing. You and Selena definitely motivated me to slow down :) LOVE YOU!

Hahhahahaha high fiber cereal thomas are you serious 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Great video as always Jenna! My boss currently is the best boss I've had - I would definitely consider her a mentor. She's helped me grow in my career in ways I never expected, and we have a transparent relationship where I can bring my full self to work and she's just a great mentor! Depending on the personalities of the people involved, I definitely think your boss can be your mentor! 🤓💛

I had a boss- mentor. A positive would be that they can act as a sponsor, which may not be possible if your mentor is only slightly above you or in a more lateral role. The downside would be if this person is more invested in your growth at the particular company and not you in general. If they are invested in you, they will be more candid about outgrowing your role or transitioning to a new opportunity. I also felt a bit guilty when I left my position with my boss- mentor because she had advocated for me for several years, but transitioning was necessary for growth.

Always liking and commenting before I watch. Need to save the video for tonight but girl I saw the first 30 seconds. OKAY little miss cute edits!!! So proud of you girl.

I'm dying at Thomas choosing high fiber cereal 😂😂The view from your place 🥺Thursday is definitely a reason to celebrate the weekend. Yay that morning journalling has such a positive effect on you 🙂I think it's cool that a lot of us who watch you are older than you, I'm one of them 🙋🏽‍♀️😁

This has to be my fav vlog of yours so far! It was relaxing to watch but thought provoking at the same time, keep it up! In terms of the mentor vs. boss, separate has to be the best option lol. I just feel more comfortable and it's easier to open up to a mentor because they're more understanding & supportive in my experience. Your boss can totally be supportive too but I've realized that they have setbacks of their own and can't fully be there for you due to their boss LOL. (just causes conflict of interest sometimes)

Thursdays are the best! While I'm not a fan of meeting with colleagues from work on Friday/weekend Thursdays are booked for them 😉 Answering your question about boss vs. mentor - I think that at the beginning of your career when you can actually learn a lot from your boss, it's very common that he/she is your mentor as well. But as we grow and gather more and more experience, we tend to explore different paths and while boss can support in it, mentor very often turns out to be someone very senior on the field of our interest or a colleague from a team we want to transfer ourselves to. Personally, I feel that my boss fully supports me in my development and provides the resources I need, but my mentor is my senior colleague who coaches me, shares knowledge and good practices.

The mentor conversation is super interesting! I agree that a boss can be a mentor but that it doesn’t mean they should be a mentor! It really depends on your role and the type of manager you have. One of my former managers walked the line well when we were facing difficult situations and would tell me “as your boss, xyz… as your friend, xyz…” and I really appreciated having both perspectives and that they were comfortable doing that with me. At the end of the day I think it’s important to just be intentional when you trust someone to take on a mentor-type role in your career because anyone will be happy to share their opinions/experience, but that doesn’t necessarily mean your own path has to follow that, you know?

If you'd be willing to share, I'd love to hear more about your finances and relationship! Medical school if a grueling undertaking, both in time, emotion and money. Are you supporting both you and your partner while he is in school? Knowing NoVa is expensive AF, I'd love to hear how you both balance work/school, fun things, rent, etc financially as a couple living together.

Hey! So the whole mentorship thing has been a gamechanger for my career. I'm about 10 yrs older than you but I met my mentor when he became my senior supervisor. I since left the company & have held onto him as my lifetime mentor. Just recently, I got asked to be a mentor to a gal 4 yrs younger than me but I'm not her boss BUT, she's just applied for a position that would support my role. I find thins a bit tricky as I'm like you, I think mentors should be slightly or completely removed from the day to day to provide that personal touch to a person.

I’ve had a mentor who was also my boss and it was amazing and he still mentors me. However, at my current job I have not considered my past or current manager a mentor because I don’t feel they want/fit the role for me and aren’t in a job/position that I’m aspiring to be in if that makes sense. My old manager was very open about me talking about my growth even outside of the company so it was very easy for me to have those conversations and I never felt like he penalized me for being open and we continue to have a great mentor relationship even though I don’t work there anymore.

Just watched your vlog and I as usual enjoyed it, I always feel as though I am actually there with you because of the way you do your vlogs. See you in the next one.

I love work day in my life vlogs and enjoyed this! ✨💕

I think the person you have for your mentor would be solely dependent upon the connection you get with the person. That being said, my wife's mentor started out as her boss. They have both since changed companies and advanced their careers to higher positions but he's the first person she calls to bounce ideas off regarding her career.

Okay the editing on this?! YES. also was surprised to hear the majority of your audience is older than you! Personally I’m younger (23). Also the new apartment is looking sooo good wow

My current mentor is my manager's manager, so in my chain of command but not my direct supervisor. Having the opportunity to work with an executive leader has been very influential in my career. I would say if you can, get a mentor that is 2 levels above your current role and don't limit yourself to a mentor in your current company. Professional associations focused in your industry are great to find a mentor outside of your company.

This is great topic. I’ve been in struggling with this. So, my boss is one of my mentors. He’s great and genuinely cares about my growth. However, the lines get blurry and I’ve noticed a few down sides such as having too much of close relationship with someone I report to. It can get in make boundaries tricky.

I hope you are having an amazing day Jenna!! I can’t wait to watch this video later when I’m not so busy. I was wondering though were you and Thomas friends before you both started dating?

As for your boss/mentor question - My situation feels unique as I'm in a PhD program, so my research mentor is technically my boss too. It is wonderful to have the built in mentorship, but because I've worked with my mentor for so long (7 years since I worked with her in research since undergrad!) we've become like family which blurs the lines and can make it challenging to have work-life balance boundaries. At the end of the day though, I don't think I'd change it, as it's rare to feel so comfortable with your mentor in grad school! As I pursue a post-doc fellowship, I will look for a mentor that has more established boundaries to help with my work-life balance.

I think the info you shared about your job duties is so interesting! Growing up, I feel like we only learned about the "classic" jobs in school - lawyer, doctor, astronaut, nurse, etc. - which made college a bit overwhelming when I realized I didn't have to be a pre-med major. But then I was delayed in finding out about these important jobs (like yours) and felt like it was too late to pursue. So thanks for sharing some insight!

I think depending on the company culture, if your mentor is your boss it better be a comfortable environment that accepts and encourages openness. In some corps, you don't get to choose always, you are "assigned" a counseler or mentor (you do get to ask for a change if absolutely cannot stand them) but in my situation for example - I am less concern with whether they're my boss and more concerned with how they lead and who they are. So most recently, I've had my practice group and regional MD be my mentor and it has been wonderful because he encourages me to BE open. I see your point and you are right about the conflict with it being your boss - but again, I'd hope the boss is open minded and kind as a leader which makes it work. Also, I have the vivaias too - your pair as well as the roundtoed one and the second pair is LITERALLYYYY my favorite comfiest pair or shoes, ever!

I like to write in a journal as well. It just feels like getting stressed out . I also agree on memories. I went back to some from 2020 and had good memories of my last Grandma

For me my boss is both, in my line of work, we have the advantage of our boss/mentor is a licensed clinician, that helps manage better the survivors of trauma that we assist

WORK DAY VLOGS WOOOOOOOO

I used to take my yogurt packs and some granola to work and eat them for breakfast too! Never thought of adding protein powder but now I'm thinking about it!

My Boss is also my mento to a small extent. It's all relative dependent on what your opportunities are and if your boss possesses the skillset to develop that. Currently, my boss is only my mentor to a small extent and I have a different mentor that can truly support with my development.

Great work Jenna enjoy darling i always watch your vlog

Good morning Jenna happy Friday morning and I just wanted to say that your outfit is sooo cute and you look amazing I'm proud of you

I think it depends on the working relationships you have and it’s ok to have more than one mentor. I agree with everything you said. I have both my boss is my mentor and one that’s in another dept and I get valuable advice from both

I think it can go either way. I have had mentors that were bosses and it backfired. I have had mentors that were colleagues that also backfired. I think it depends on the person that is mentoring. I think a good boss should be capable of being a good mentor to their direct reports but not all bosses/managers are great at managing.

Love this vlog so much! Thanks for sharing more about your job. It's always interesting to see what people are doing in the corporate world. I, myself, work in corporate and sometimes I struggle with dissociating my self-worth and identity with my job. I wonder if you've ever felt the same way?

In my experience, it really depends on the situation and if you see yourself doing this not as a job but as a career. I've gone through different jobs and different roles, and in each position I was always offered Supervisor positions and would be mentored/trained to become one eventually. However, none it "felt right". Fast forward many years later, I am now working a new job for a different employer. I am now starting my Masters program in Rehabilitation Counseling this Fall 2022 and can see myself doing this as a career. This time around, it felt right and it made sense because it's not just a job anymore, it's now going to be my career. I have a wonderful boss who also mentors and challenges me to be the best version of myself personally and professionally. I also have many skilled colleagues who mentors me when needed too if she was not available.

love love love the vivaia shoes. 🫶🏽 and love Thomas chats!

omg that shoes look so good!!!! gonna check them out thank you

Lol cool! So I’m not the only one that loved Thursdays lol

I think it’s a case by case basis. I’ve had a few who started as my direct manager, but then as we moved into different roles stayed as a mentor. At this point in my career (I’m mid career), I have more “sponsor” relationships than mentor. Where they function more as advocates and brainstorming partners than guides. And all of those people are former direct managers that pushed me in some way while reporting to them. That being said not every manager DESERVES to be your mentor or even a mentor at all.

i love seeing what you do in a work day! the pacing is so chill and well matched with the energy of a workday aha :) i've never thought about the mentor vs boss topic, since i recently started working full time, i've switched bosses once already, so i haven't been able to establish a strong connection yet. i'd prefer a mentor to be separate from being my boss, since i'd love to be able to openly discuss topics i wouldn't feel as open with discussing with a boss.

Been enjoying your vlogs Jenna! Would you consider creating an Amazon store.😊? You have a wealth of great recommendations. I want to get your eyelash serum for one. ❤️

💙Sorry I'm late..I work in Healthcare Corporate stressing!! Bathroom Chat only you could make it so normal and us forget that's where you're at!🌺Thank you for keeping it real!! That green looks amazing on you against your skin tone!! AMAZING! I had a supervisor/boss who was my mentor. The encouragement and knowledge she gave me was great! I still remember her encouragement when challenges come! 🌻Thank you thank you for your videos🥰

Hi!! My boss is not my mentor and has never been because I've worked in a Corporate for 10 years now and only my supervisor, been in a higher position had been my mentor. But also my work partners had been my mentors for so long. And there is always someone in your work you trust the must for asking questions. My experience!! 😀

BB luvvv work day vlogg 😍I was totally 🤣😂🤣😂at Fiber cereal sorry Thomas 😅those flats looks so comfy , think may order for my mom's bday next month🤑teehee...hmmm well my boss was my mentor when I started new Realtor Agency last year..been LEGIT no problems...he gives me great advice and is soooo easy talk to..I don't see issue with boss/mentor role as long as it's not weird or uncomfortable situation 😉..the apartment is beyond cutteee 🧡🤍💛💜ya have a peaceful, enjoyable, vlog free weekend u deserve it hun❤🍾🍷ohh almost forgot #HappyNationalCouples day 2 you and Thomas🤩

Loving that mascara too!! ❤️

I've always been super curious about what you do for work! Do you use any specific apps for your job or just like the typical powerpoint and excel? Does it involve data analysis at all?

Can you do a video on “whats in my work bag?”. I absolutely love it and I’m in the consulting business as well. Thinking of purchasing. ☺️💖

Loved watching this Jenna!!!

Your job looks so interesting and I love the freedom you have, seems like a great company to work for! For me a mentor can be your boss depending on the type of person they are.

Hi! I don't know how you work a full time job and do YT like you do!!!! Most the time I come home from work and take a "nap" for 4 hours.

Where's your yellow top from in the intro??

Thomas how’s school going. Studying all the time

I am the type of person who likes having people at work with different ‘titles’…so both be different people, that way I wouldn’t be feeling to awkward to open up about certain stuff..I don’t know why but I always feel so awkward to talk about stuff with my boss.😩

I love your glasses. What brand and style are they?

On my lunch break and ready to watch it!

I would consider my boss my mentor. I think he is a better boss than he is a mentor but I haven’t ever found anyone else at this company to fulfill that mentor role. I rely on coworker friends to help me navigate stressful or difficult work sotuations more than I go to my boss.

Hi Jenna, love your vlogs!❤️ Are you a CPA?

Please be safe when you walk home like that, especially at night and alone.

Do you think filming the girl talk videos?

👍👍👍👍👍

I do not personally like how my mentor and my boss is the same person, I’m a boss myself and I do not want to personally be the mentor myself.

I think your mentor should not be your boss because you should be able to talk about items with your mentor that could be in conflict with your boss’s responsibilities like salary, moving to a different role or on from the company in general. I also think a mentor outside your current company is a really good perspective also.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

I think they should be separate for the reasons you stated.