Meet Trailblazer Rithi Arora

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rithi Arora.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Rithi. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA and really knew nothing else outside of my comfortable, little bubble. I was slowly growing discontent with how stagnant life was starting to feel. The lack of direction I was facing with my career goals reinforced those feelings further. My sister suggested stepping out of my comfort zone, which included everything I had grown all too familiar with- from the City of Angels to the industry that I was working in.

So I donated/sold half of my belongings, packed my bags, and decided to live in Thailand for one year. I am back in the US now and haven’t lived in Los Angeles again since I left. I am now residing in San Diego, CA, working remotely for a nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles. My life in San Diego has been an adventure in itself. It has been fun (to say the least) trying to establish myself somewhere new again and struggling to resist that tug back into LA and familiarity.

In San Diego, I have found a new community of like-minded individuals, whether it is those seeking a better relationship with themselves through meditation and yoga or remote workers through Meetup groups. I have also found my way back into another passion I had left behind in my college years- dance. Sharing goals and passions with my team and community has helped me achieve a stronger sense of purpose and belonging in this new place I’m beginning to call home.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. When I first decided to set foot out of the only city I knew, I made sure to choose destinations that were reportedly “safe.” From my experience, while still remaining cautious along the way, I can confidentially say that Thailand was one of the safest countries to travel in as a solo female expat. My advice in that regard is to ALWAYS do your homework on the locations you wish to visit or travel to and still continue to pursue those journeys with caution. Though that is vague advice, the types of caution will vary depending on your location and what types of danger you anticipate.

Coming back to the US was more of an emotional journey and struggle. Partially due to the impact on my wallet and also due to the western mentality and all the pressure it came with that I had forgotten during my time abroad. It took some time for me to find a circle of new friends that I felt possessed the level of openness that I was seeking to surround myself with.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
I have worked with individuals with developmental dis/abilities for six years. During my time abroad I had taken a break from working in this industry to teach English. As many people in this industry might agree, I too, was experiencing burn out prior to moving. I was working as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) and could not see myself in a position as such for the rest of my life. After my break abroad, I realized that this is still an industry I am incredibly passionate about and want to continue working in, but I had to find a position that was better suited for me. Two days before my departure from Thailand to head back home, I received an email from the founder of IGNITE Collective, Inc., a former employer of mine. The email was regarding a job opening.

I am now a Program Administrator and Grant Writer for the organization. There is a lot of room for creativity within this industry which opens doors for us to contribute much more than our paid titles. I’m still working on ways to network and find ways to do that myself, but am excited to find where I fit in with the community in San Diego. I continue to maintain contact with the individuals I had developed connections with from my work while I was in Los Angeles, CA and strive to advocate for and alongside with them and all individuals with various developmental disadvantages.

Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
The options for finding a mentor are overwhelming in today’s day and age. The thing to consider is whether or not you are willing to spend money on a mentor. If so, then it’s a bit easier. Life coaches can be found on various platforms and can be incredibly insightful and motivating.

I, especially, enjoy networking with communities of people either doing what I’m doing or striving for the same goals. The validation received from meeting so many people across the globe who can relate to your exact circumstances and share their own stories has provided a level of mentorship that I could not find in a single individual. This is not to say that one-on-one mentoring is not useful or helpful. It absolutely is. Finding a coach with a niche in the direction you want to go in, a therapist to support you with untangling difficult emotions and experiences, and friends or family are all some form of mentors to me. Each serves the same or similar purpose with varying impact. I have grown a lot by absorbing from a blend of these different resources. Which is the best fit for you depends on your needs and preferences.

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