Brand Operations
“No one questioned my ability—only the system did.”
Alyssa Varela has always been curious and creative—someone who thrives on learning. But in traditional school settings, that drive didn’t translate easily. “Despite this drive, I associated my ability to learn with traditional education,” she says. “And school was a challenging setting for me.”
Raised in a family that carved their own paths, Alyssa saw early on that success didn’t have to come with a college degree. Her father immigrated from Mexico and, without a bachelor’s, built a two-decade career leading a design team at Microsoft. Her mother earned a degree in American Sign Language and went on to launch her own photography business. “Neither of my parents followed a traditional route—and that showed me I didn’t have to either.”
Alyssa assumed she would follow in her mother’s footsteps. She joined the family photography business and even completed a dual-enrollment program in high school, earning her associate’s degree by graduation. But finishing school shortly after the 2008 recession, she knew a four-year degree wasn’t financially realistic—and didn’t feel like the right fit. “I had fully expected photography would be my career path.”
After several years in the creative field, Alyssa reached a turning point. “Relying on my creative passion for financial stability was burning me out. I knew I needed to pivot,” she recalls. Still, without a bachelor’s degree, she found herself repeatedly shut out of opportunities—even for entry-level jobs.
A volunteer stint in marketing with a nonprofit introduced her to peer-to-peer texting campaigns, sparking a realization: creativity wasn’t just artistic—it was also strategic. “That was the first time I clearly saw that my creativity wasn’t solely about artistic output; it could also be strategic problem-solving and innovation. I loved it.”
But even after gaining real-world experience, Alyssa faced a flood of rejections. “I felt instantly disqualified without a degree. I was unwilling to accept that something I lacked was more valuable than what I could offer.” Determined, she continued volunteering, upskilling, and expanding her job search—even if it meant relocating. Eventually, that persistence paid off with a role at a small startup. That opportunity became a stepping stone.
Today, Alyssa is in her fifth year at Indeed, where she’s part of a team that blends creativity with practical innovation. “It’s a company that recognizes and values skills—and is at the forefront of changing this perspective.”
Recently, she found herself on a call with her mom, swapping advice on using AI—an area she’s immersed in at work and one her mom is excited to learn. “We agreed that success lies in your ability to grow, evolve, and continue learning,” she shares. “It takes courage and resilience to advocate for yourself—even through imposter syndrome. No one questioned my ability—only the system did.”
For Alyssa, tearing the paper ceiling means not letting credentials define capability. “A degree doesn’t inherently define someone’s potential. It takes people willing to challenge that and take a chance. I hope more employers begin to see that.”
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