100 Takeaways from Brown, Immigrant, Working Women

“Do the exact opposite of what brown culture taught you”

Created by Sundas Khalid

Being an immigrant in the corporate world has its own unique set of challenges. When you move to a new country, the process of learning and unlearning becomes critical to succeed, whether that is learning a new language or the work culture. Learning and adapting to the work culture is quite exhausting, plus it involves trials and errors where you break your tiny bubble of social stigma. Sometimes, this can be a huge shift too.

If you are a woman of color that fit in the above equation, things only become challenging in the new country and work environment. For example, when I started my career journey in the USA, being comfortable speaking up in meetings is something I struggled with for a long time because, from a young age, I was rewarded to be the quiet one. There are many things I had to unlearn and learn to adapt the new culture after I started working.

Though experiences like mine are spread out, the current digital world makes it easier to connect with people who share similar struggles — it has made the world less isolated. In an effort to learn from other women’s stories, I surveyed 100 women on Instagram and asked them to share one-sentence takeaway from their careers. The responses are absolutely inspiring yet a painful reminder of shared struggles that many face in silence.

In hopes to credit appropriately, Instagram handles of participants are added next to each takeaway.

What is your biggest takeaway as immigrant, brown woman working in the corporate world?

1. Do the exact opposite of what brown culture taught you, which was to be submissive and not speak up. (___kanza___)
2. Be unapologetically yourself. I spread all my Indonesian culture across my company. (amaliaclairee)
3. There is a place for me too. (lil_brit_in_la)
4. Be you and confident. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. (sahi282)
5. Become a white golden man be confident and voice yourself. (hanadiu)
6. Once you made it, don’t forget to send the elevator back down…