Earlier this week, an Arab colleague at work told me something that stuck with me.
“Work will always be hard for us because we’re not white—especially for you, because you’re Black.”
My first thought was, what the fuck? But I knew she didn’t mean it with any disrespect. If anything, as blunt as she was, I knew exactly what she was trying to say because I’ve felt it too. But hearing it out loud, from someone I work with, hit differently this time. She told me this in Arabic. And yes, I speak Arabic—not fluently, but well enough, and with an accent. I was born in the UK to Sudanese immigrant parents, so my experience has always been shaped by both cultures.
She went on to say that she struggles not just because she’s Arab, but because English isn’t her first language. And I get it. If you struggle to speak the language, you struggle to articulate your thoughts fluently. You miss the nuances, the inside jokes. And trust me—British banter is a language of its own. Maybe only Aussies and Kiwis come close in terms of dark humour and sarcasm.
The System Isn’t Built for Us—But That’s Not an Excuse to Stop Pushing
I know there are barriers. I’ve felt them firsthand. But I can’t let that stop me from moving forward. My plan? Keep building my experience, keep progressing. And if I hit a wall, I’ll find another way around it.
Right now, as I write this, I’m actually waiting for a contract from a new company to be drafted. Why? Because my current managers told me I need a specific qualification to be promoted. Absolute bollocks, if you ask me. But it is what it is.
And here’s the irony—I asked for a £5,000 pay rise. Just five grand. They said no because I’m already being paid “my worth.” Which is funny, considering I’m doing more than my line manager. Now, my next job is paying just above that extra £5,000 I asked for, but at this point, it’s not even about the money. It’s about principle. It’s about knowing my value and refusing to be boxed in.
Because honestly, what does £5,000 even amount to in the grand scheme of things? A few hundred extra a month? Does that even match the current rate of inflation? Fuck no.
Never Depend on a Company for Your Growth
Here’s the real lesson: never depend on a company for your growth. No matter how much time and effort you invest in them, they will never invest in you the same way. And that’s fine—because there’s always another company out there that will appreciate the skills you’ve gained. And if not, then maybe it’s time for a change of scenery.
Complacency is the real killer. There’s nothing worse than waking up one day and realising that years have passed and you’re still stuck in the same place, wondering, where did the time go?
If you’re thinking about applying for a new job, do it. If you’re even considering looking around, that’s your answer. You should be applying. Use these companies the same way they use you. Get the experience, take advantage of every course and training opportunity, stack up the job titles, and then leverage it for something bigger.
Start Something of Your Own—Or At Least Try
At the end of the day, each new job or promotion will probably pay you a few thousand more. But if you want something truly meaningful, you have to start your own thing—or at least try.
And that’s what I’ve been doing. I’ve tried to start multiple things. And I’ll be honest—every single one has failed. I’ve had silent breakdowns. I’ve questioned myself. But I’ve also learned from each and every failure.
So now, I have two choices:
1. Keep working for a company and find fulfilment in climbing the corporate ladder.
2. Keep working for a company while building something on the side—until one day, I don’t need that job anymore.
Option two is where my mind’s at right now.
Who the fuck knows how it will all turn out? But one thing I do know—the grind won’t stop.
So I’ll keep rolling. Keep pushing forward. And when the wheels fall off, I’ll walk if I have to.
But I know I’ll never stop.
On a similar note check out my post on the subconscious mind. Real career growth starts with shifting your mindset.
I’m also sharing my stories on the platform Medium, which is a great place for everyone to share stories.
