Tijana V., Senior Director, RPO Operations Cross Country Search

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 Celebrate Diversity Month, Q&amp;A


 Tijana V., Senior Director, RPO Operations Cross Country Search


 Q. Tell us a little bit about your journey to Cross Country.


 A. When I decided to pursue and look into a new future career, I noticed that
 a previous coworker of mine had just started with Cross Country. As I
 connected with the internal recruiter, I started to explore the organization.
 When the right role became open, I was contacted by the recruiter, had a
 couple of interviews, and knew this was where I wanted to grow my career. I
 knew joining Cross Country would expose me to new opportunities and adventures
 for years to come.


 Q. What do you enjoy most about your current position with the
 organization?


 A. Seeing the growth and structure within our current
 organization is very rewarding. I enjoy developing people’s skills and getting
 them out of their “comfort zones” to truly enable their potential. The
 organization that I’m a part of has really allowed me to build those
 relationships within my teams.


 I have also met some wonderful people outside of my own division and it has
 been great learning about different departments, teams, systems and processes.
 Connecting with others can really help me understand how to better my
 organization and deliver the best results to our clients and internal teams. I
 have really enjoyed learning how things are run elsewhere and sharing my
 advice with others and receiving it back. Working with so many different teams
 and unfolding areas of opportunity drive me to do more and better on a daily
 basis. Striving to be the best that I can be is something that my organization
 is allowing me to do. That is something that I appreciate about the people I
 work closely with, and I look forward to growing our futures together.


 Q. At Cross Country, diversity and inclusion are a big, big focus.
 What does this mean to you personally, as well as professionally?


 A. Diversity is important; having different backgrounds and
 ideas spark innovation. Feeling accepted in the workplace to me means
 empowering my true self. When I feel accepted for being who I am, my wings
 spread just a little wider to conquer any obstacles ahead.


 Q. How do you help promote and endorse diversity and inclusion among your
 team?


 A. I encourage my coworkers and team to share decks on “all
 about me” so that we can learn the little details about one another we
 typically wouldn’t share. It encourages us to share culture, different
 religious backgrounds, and holidays. My team and organization allow me to
 celebrate my holidays and share those special traditions.


 Our roots are important — mine are what made me become the person I am today.
 Knowing I have the support of the people around me at Cross Country prompts me
 to share my unique background.


 We are all united, one partner, and one Cross Country. Be yourself, be proud —
 let yourself shine within your teams.

Q. What motivates and inspires you from day to day?

 A. Starting a new life at the age of eight in a country where
 everything was foreign to me and my parents was shocking. Being the one who
 learned the English language first (mostly because of school), I had to help
 and guide my parents. Nothing was too difficult to do for my parents; after
 all they did sacrifice a ton to bring their children to the US for a better
 life. Years went by and as I supported my parents, they supported me in
 getting an education, which is something that both of my parents have only
 dreamt of. My parents focused on teaching me how to be an amazing individual,
 respectful and the hardest working individual on the team. They always
 believed being a good human and working the hardest would pay off one day.
 Having my own kids now, I can understand why they focused on those qualities.


 They motivate me to do my best and don’t tolerate anything less. Now that I
 have two children of my own who are the first-born generation of US citizens
 in my family, I have more than just my parents to motivate and inspire me.
 Teaching my children two languages, two cultures and two traditions at once
 has been satisfying. They definitely inspire me on a daily basis to be the
 best mother, partner, coworker and woman that I can be.


 Q. You talk openly about being a war refugee. What does that major life
 event mean to you, and how does it inform your life now?


 A. Being an immigrant and a refugee is a topic that doesn’t
 come lightly. However, that time in my life hasn’t been forgotten. The 90s
 were a difficult time for my country, previously known as Yugoslavia. The
 small country now known as Bosnia and Herzegovina was shattered from the civil
 war that took place from 1992-1995. Many were impacted by these tragic events
 including my family. The USA opened its doors to us in 1998 and we have been
 here ever since. Learning the culture, language, and way of life created
 opportunities for me. My family and I built new lives and truly live up to the
 “American Dream.” Taking advantage of all the opportunities that this country
 could offer us was never ending for me. I always thought to myself, “I can do
 more; we can do better. Why not try and do it if we can?” My background led me
 to the path I’m on now and I couldn’t be more thankful to be where I am today.
 Being a war refugee and an immigrant is not something people hear about
 frequently; we never know what lives people around us had unless we truly take
 the time to ask and understand. I appreciate that about Cross Country and the
 organization that I’m a part of. We are here, and we are who we are, and we
 are accepted. #IAmCrossCountry


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 Q. What’s something people don’t know about you — even those who know you
 well?


 A. Don’t we all just have something that we don’t share, even
 with those who are the closest to us?


 I love carnivals; there is something special about them. Seeing one for the
 first time seemed magical -- the different music, foods, laughs, and of
 course, the rides. One of my favorite things is the carousel. I ride it about
 five times each time I visit a carnival and use my kids as an excuse. 😊 To
 me, the carousel is a piece of art and beauty, and it goes round and round and
 round….


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Q. Do you have a mantra or philosophy by which you live?

 A. “Do not fear failure, but rather fear not trying.” — Roy
 Bennett


 Failure is something we all fear, the fear of being criticized and the fear of
 not being good enough gives us anxiety and holds us back. If there is one
 thing I have learned from coming to a new country as a little girl it is to
 keep trying. Falling and picking ourselves back up will keep us going. Not
 giving up on your dreams and not fearing the “unknown” can open many doors to
 new opportunities and happiness.

<h2 style="text-align: center;">#IAmCrossCountry</h2>

Tijana V. #IAmCrossCountry