Her Story
About Ingrid
Ingrid Charlery is an author and customer service program support assistant for the federal government. Based in Elizabeth, New Jersey, she has been writing since 2018 and published The Strength of a Woman, a book inspired by her experiences overcoming homelessness, depression, and personal challenges while living in a shelter with her daughter. Charlery previously worked with USCIS Immigration for four and a half years before taking her current federal government role. She attended Hudson County College in Jersey City but did not complete her degree. Through her writing and public speaking, Charlery focuses on women empowerment, sharing her story to encourage others that suicide is not the answer and that trials can lead to strength. She volunteers with Family Promise, where she has served as a public speaker, and donates school supplies and tablets to children in St. Lucia, her country of origin. Charlery attributes her success to her strong faith, prayer, inner peace, and writing from the heart with emotion, values that also guide her advice to treat others with empathy and respect.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ingrid
01What do you attribute your success to?
I am a woman that has a lot of faith. And I pray a lot. And I believe that it keeps me calm. Being calm, having peace, inner peace, is the best way in life. If you're not right mentally, then you cannot be successful. I try my best to stay calm, to make professional decisions, good decisions. I like to write with emotions. And when people read what I write, they cry, and that's my success because they feel. So I like my emotions to be out there in anything I write or say. Speaking from my heart, doing things from my heart, and thinking clearly, carefully, before I act.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice that I've ever received is from my supervisor: You are an exceptional employee. You do such a great job, and you are a hard-working person, and I can depend on you. My advice is when someone approaches you, do your best professionally. Give your best. Sell yourself like you're going to a job interview, always. First impression is the best impression.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Do your best, sell yourself, treat people well the way you would like to be treated. Because I do customer service, sometimes I get people who lash at me very nastily, and I have to take it cool and easy. I would say to them, ma'am, I'm here to help you. Let me see what I can do to help you, and I'll go above and beyond.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
My biggest challenge is getting someone to invest in me for the past 3 to 4 years. I've sent a lot of letters to Tyler Perry, Oprah, everybody I know. The opportunity is turning my book into a movie to get the message out in large numbers.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Treat people the way you would like to be treated. Treat and have empathy and sympathy. You never know what someone is going through. When I was working on immigration, I went to work with a smile on my face. Deep down inside, I was so broken. Sometimes I would leave my desk and run to the bathroom to burst into tears. No one knew that I lived at a shelter. You never know how much pain someone is going through on the inside. So by you treating someone nasty, you add to their pain. Treat people with respect, treat people with love, extend a helping hand. Healing, it's okay to cry. Hidden healing begins with crying.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.