Meet Jessica King | Foodie & Engineer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica King and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, do you disagree with some advice that is more or less universally accepted?
That you should make money or a business out of a hobby. Sometimes, a hobby is just that – a hobby. Something you find that lets you free your mind and relax doesn’t always have to be something you monetize, it can be something for just you to enjoy.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am most proud about the fact that I have finally figured out what I want to do for the rest of my life. Growing up in a small town, there aren’t many different career fields you learn about except for the ones everyone is doing there. Teacher, doctor, nurse, own a business, or the military. You don’t learn about all of the things that are out there to do besides what’s in front of you.

I’m also proud that I’m almost done with school and I’ll have that bachelor’s degree that I have been putting off for years because I didn’t know that I liked.

So far in my career, some of the challenges that I’ve faced are:

1. Usually the only woman in the room and black woman/person.
2. Being the youngest.

My field is dominated by older men so, being heard and being understood has been a challenge. But these are challenges that I’ve learn to conquer in the 4 years I’ve been with this company and the 10 I’ve been in this field.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned so far is that, at the end of the day, it’s my life. Everyone has an opinion about what you should do, feel, think, etc. and I’ve learned that no one should have that power of me and I can do all of those things for myself. Do what makes you happy as long as it’s good for you. People want support you until they see the benefits you’re reaping.

I’d like the world to know about my hobby is that it’s just that. I live to make things easier, in my job, life and now with this food page, in other’s lives. I know coming to Atlanta for me was – a lot. I didn’t know where to go, what to do for fun. But, now I’ve been here a while and hopefully people who are visiting, or moving here can look at it and see something they like whether it’s a restaurant or a recipe and experience it themselves.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
For breakfast…I’d have to take them OTP to Tupelo Honey up in Sandy Springs. That place is pretty good and a nap would be in the cards after that. A good place to hang out would be Painted Pin. They have live music sometimes and there are a lot of things to play/do and the food is pretty good.
I’d go to iPic theaters for a good movie and drinks.
Putt Shack – because it’s just cool af.
Little Five points is a daytime stroll type of thing.
Ponce City Market to hit the roof at night.
Try to catch a Hawks game or United game since the stadiums are pretty fly.
The High – for the culture.
Buford Highway and hit one of the hotpot places up there.
Nothing too crazy.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First, I’d like to dedicate this to my grandmother. She was the light of my life and I hope she’s proud of me. Secondly, I’d like to dedicate this to my big sister, Shannon who has turned into one of my best friends. I also want to dedicate this to my love, Kea’erra. They push me to never settle and to make myself happy overall. And of course mom and dad.

Instagram: Diiirtysouthfed

Other: @jesslawd – Twitter or Instagram