Graduation season is a time of transitions, celebration, possibility, and well-meaning advice. While much of the advice is time tested and prudent (don’t burn bridges, cultivate transferable skills, exercise grit, etc.), and most is harmless, some is not only outdated, but downright harmful, especially for women of color. If new women of color graduates want to truly thrive in the workplace, they need to know how to push back on microaggressions and racism, how to stay true to their values when they face pressure to conform, and how to find others to combat the isolation they may feel as they rise. To do that they need to:
- Be better prepared to handle potential workplace stereotypes, microaggressions, and racism. If you encounter a racist incident you don’t have to grin and bear it. You can push back, especially if you do it in ways that are direct but don’t drive your colleagues away.
- Don’t give in on the things that define you. They are your strengths. Being yourself at work matters. Research has shown that it leads to higher motivation, increased self-determination, and less burnout. Advocating for ourselves in both small and big ways can help us find power and stand up for ourselves in even larger ways as we grow in our careers.
- Find your community. None of us are islands, or superheroes. We all need support, validation, and input from those around us, and ideally from those who respect and honor our experiences. Try to create bonds and connections with others at your level. See them as a resource not competition.