As a career coach, I’ve had the privilege of guiding many young professionals as they embark on their careers. As a person whose salient identities (identities that are most prominent and influential during an interaction) are marginalized, I’ve experienced the pressure to excel beyond expectations just to be seen as a valuable contributor. Women of color are often told, implicitly or explicitly, that we need to work twice as hard to gain the same recognition as our male and white counterparts.
But let me tell you, navigating these complexities while staying true to who you are is not only possible – it’s essential. Over the years, I’ve gleaned some key insights that I believe can help women of color not just survive in the workforce, but truly thrive.
The first is to build your professional support network. This consists of peers with the same job title, trusted colleagues within the same company, and mentors. Building your professional support network will help you stay true to yourself when you feel pressure, confidently suggest new ideas, and provide assurance when you second-guess yourself. Peers with the same job title, but work at a different company can be great for brainstorming and staying on top of best practices for your line of work. Besides, nerding out with professionals who understand the day-to-day tasks can be fun. Trusted colleagues will help you stay sane because they understand the office politics without you needing to explain it. And mentors, both at the same company and at different companies, will help you navigate your career. Going to conferences can help you build your support network. Talk to your supervisor about professional development, research the top conferences for your industry, and pitch attending it to your supervisor. Oftentimes, conference websites have information to help you pitch the idea to your supervisor.
The second is to find a job that celebrates your strengths and identities. As women of color, our experiences often provide us with unique lenses through which to view challenges and opportunities. Your unique background, your cultural intelligence, the diverse perspectives you bring – they are powerful assets. When you are able to bring your authentic self to work, you not only contribute to a richer and more inclusive environment for everyone, but feel more grounded. But don’t just hop to the next job. Be intentional in your job search. You can do this by researching companies that genuinely value diversity and inclusion. Then, by connecting with current employees and asking about the work environment. During interviews, ask questions that demonstrate their commitment to equity and belonging. For example, I typically ask, “what was the last thing that was celebrated, how long ago was this, and how was it celebrated?” There have been many instances where my contributions went unrecognized and my ideas taken by others so the answer to this question is usually a good indicator for me. Determine what you need to know about a work environment to feel valued and come up with a question that will be a good indicator for you.
The third is to dive into or continue your DEI journey. Doing so will help you understand how your identities intersect and, if some of your identities are privileged, you’ll learn how to leverage them. Additionally, you’ll learn to articulate your ideas clearly and back them with your perspective, which can help you feel heard and understood. And, most importantly, it’s important for your mental health because you will develop the ability to recognize when biases are at play, so you don’t shoulder the blame. Your fresh perspectives can be the catalyst for meaningful innovation. Actively work on building your self-belief by acknowledging your past achievements, focusing on your strengths
By embracing your authenticity, finding your voice, cultivating self-belief, and seeking out environments that celebrate your unique identity, you can move beyond simply surviving and truly thrive. I believe in you, and I know you have the strength and brilliance to achieve your goals.
Bio:
Laurie Nilo-Klug is the Founder of Post College Journey, a company dedicated to helping college students line up a job with graduation. She guides career coaching clients through a self-discovery process that helps them develop career paths that align with the life they want to live. Then, she uses her background in marketing to help clients prove to employers exactly why they need to be hired.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
