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If you're a black kid starting out in the shark infested world of corporate, here's some advice [Thread]
- Speak up, make yourself heard. We were raised to respect elders & "let the grownups speak". Fuck that. Claim your space
- The system rewards more than just working hard
- Speak up, make yourself heard. We were raised to respect elders & "let the grownups speak". Fuck that. Claim your space
- The system rewards more than just working hard
- Never get stuck in a clique with only people who look like you/ think like you/ won't challenge you. Go have lunch with different people, get coffee with other teams. Hustle your network
- Leverage every company benefit. If travel is involved, stick your name down first!
- Leverage every company benefit. If travel is involved, stick your name down first!
- Negotiate your salary every year!! Don't just accept the company's increase. Trust me, they have MUCH more money allocated for talent.
- Have regular performance reviews & ask for feedback. Don't get defensive. It's not personal. Fix your clear problem areas
- Have regular performance reviews & ask for feedback. Don't get defensive. It's not personal. Fix your clear problem areas
- There will be older people earning much less than you & who may feel intimidated or threatened. Again, don't get involved in workplace scraps. Don't fall for the bait. One chance to paint you as the "angry black man/woman" & they WILL do it.
Be smart. Be strategic. Be clinical
Be smart. Be strategic. Be clinical
- Shut down any stereotypes & anything that makes you uncomfortable immediately. "That's the last time I will tell you that's inappropriate". End of story.
This applies to anything. Please don't be a "smile & cry inside" person. Your seat is equally important to anyone else.
This applies to anything. Please don't be a "smile & cry inside" person. Your seat is equally important to anyone else.
Most important advice
- If you didn't grow up with certain luxuries, went to a disadvantaged school or went to a lesser known university, don't let it cloud your performance
- Don't ever let the guy with the fucking annoying "posh" accent talk over you. Your perspectives matter
- If you didn't grow up with certain luxuries, went to a disadvantaged school or went to a lesser known university, don't let it cloud your performance
- Don't ever let the guy with the fucking annoying "posh" accent talk over you. Your perspectives matter
Lastly, the world is filled with people from small towns & humble backgrounds who make it big.
Most of us were the first people in our families to get a degree/ buy a house/ go overseas.
Stay hustling
Remain hungry
Never be complacent
Your time is now. Enjoy the good live!
Most of us were the first people in our families to get a degree/ buy a house/ go overseas.
Stay hustling
Remain hungry
Never be complacent
Your time is now. Enjoy the good live!
Last piece of advice:
The second you secure a job, start lining up a potential backup & develop skills that make you marketable. Always have a Plan B.
"Black tax" means you can't take a gap year and backpack across South America if you get laid off.
The second you secure a job, start lining up a potential backup & develop skills that make you marketable. Always have a Plan B.
"Black tax" means you can't take a gap year and backpack across South America if you get laid off.
Afterthought:
We underestimate the psychological impact of growing up with & around money. Resist the urge to immediately splurge on items purely to say "look, I made it!"
It's a marathon, not a sprint.
Use your first few paychecks to develop a base & have some basic security.
We underestimate the psychological impact of growing up with & around money. Resist the urge to immediately splurge on items purely to say "look, I made it!"
It's a marathon, not a sprint.
Use your first few paychecks to develop a base & have some basic security.
If you're unsure how to greet colleagues, this will help...
