YBP Peer Spotlight: Takara Bullock

We’re everywhere…and it’s great. Today’s weekly edition of peer spotlight reaches all the way on the other side of the world to find a fellow professional in the great land of Japan. Today, let’s meet Takara Bullock.

What is your occupation, full title and work week hours?
I work as an Executive Recruiter and specialize in E-Commerce and Digital Media in Tokyo. I recruit primarily for international companies operating or entering Japan. On average, I work from 48-50 hours per week.

How old are you?
27 years old

Takara Bullock

If you had to rank the following with regards to importance in your life, how would you (successful career, spiritual clarity, starting your own family, financially well-off)?
I recently married and as a result, my priorities have changed drastically. Before marrying, my career came first and working 12-14 hours/day was the norm. However, putting my career before everything is a tough path to walk and I learned many lessons from that, the most important one being to always trust that God will provide for you– no matter how much you want to control things. Once I married, I had to rearrange my priorities and I am so happy that I did. God, my family, and my career is the order, which required a drastic change in work hours. But, it is truly worth it and I am blessed.

For those who are married: Why did you decide to get married at your age? What is the single most important aspect to consider when deciding to get married?
I chose to marry my husband because he is a spiritual leader. I was drawn to him because of his love for constantly challenging himself to become a better person and his passion for Jesus Christ. We worked together and I was adamant about not dating a colleague. However, the more I learned about him, the more I was convinced that what we had was definitely something different. For me, the single most important aspect for marrying my husband was his leadership ability and his walk with God. I like security and I know that as long as we both have God, everything else will work out.

What is one piece of advice you constantly rely upon when making tough career decisions?
Every job has hills and valleys– what really builds your career is riding out the tough times and hanging in there. In my line of work, I often see candidates making career decision based solely on their emotions, which is evident in their CV filled with ‘career moves’ gone bad.

For those who are not considering grad school: Why did you decide to not pursue a graduate degree?
I am planning to pursue an MBA when I return to the US, but that will be 4-5 more years. I have chosen not to pursue a graduate degree thus far because I think experience is most important for me at this time. I am thankful that my current career provides insight into the details and careers of executives and the choices they have made to help guide their careers.

What has been your greatest triumph since ‘coming into your own’?
My greatest triumph thus far would have to be my residing in Japan, and becoming a wife and career woman. I initially came to Japan as a Fulbright Fellow to conduct graduate research for a year. But once the research year ended I decided to extend my stay here, it has been one of the best decisions of my life.

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