How Identity Influenced A Director Of Programs's Career At Minds Matter Southern California
Shalin's career navigation has been significantly shaped by their upbringing and the "attitude of...taking what you can get" instilled by family; this contrasts with their current belief that a workplace "owes" more than just a paycheck—fulfillment and value are paramount. The search for organizations with diverse leadership and a healthy culture, reflecting "a mutual...relationship," now guides their career choices.
Overcoming Challenges, Workplace Challenges, Leadership, Career Development, Motivational Stories
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Shalin Craig
Director of Programs
Minds Matter Southern California
University of California, Berkeley, 2015
N/A
Ethnic & Related Studies
Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Education
Scholarship Recipient, Worked 20+ Hours in School, LGBTQ, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Shalin's parents' influence on her career navigation: Shalin discusses how her parents' work experiences and attitudes toward workplace expectations impacted her early career perspective, highlighting the importance of challenging the 'take what you can get' mentality and seeking fulfilling work environments.
2. The significance of workplace culture and representation: Shalin emphasizes the importance of considering workplace culture and representation, particularly the presence of people of color in leadership, when choosing a job, reflecting her belief in the need for inclusive and equitable workplaces.
3. The concept of a mutual relationship between employee and employer: Shalin advocates for a mutual and reciprocal relationship between employees and employers, suggesting that employees deserve fulfilling and empowering work environments and should not feel undervalued or disempowered in their roles. She emphasizes that workplaces should value their employees and contribute to a healthy and supportive atmosphere
Transcript
As someone who identifies as a person of color, how has that impacted how you've navigated your career?
That's a great question. I think it has a huge impact, as well as other identities that I hold. Something I think about often, and have thought about throughout my career, especially early on, is this idea of what is reasonable to expect from a workplace.
Growing up with parents who didn't go to college, parents who worked jobs that did not require a college degree, they had an attitude that I think is common with low-income families too. You take what you can get, you don't make complaints, you clock in and clock out, and you just push through.
It's futile to try to make change in the workplace because, ultimately, you're just there for a paycheck. This has definitely impacted how I've navigated my career, because I have to continue to try to unlearn that belief and attitude.
I truly believe that a place where I spend the majority of my waking hours owes me more than just a paycheck. I deserve to feel fulfilled, and I don't deserve to feel disempowered and undervalued in my workplace.
So, when I'm looking for a new organization or a new team, it's super important to me that I understand their culture. I see who is part of their team, and I know that there are people of color in leadership because that is important to me. Those are indicators of how happy I'm going to be in that workplace.
There's an understanding that I am bringing assets to the workplace, and that the workplace should be a mutual relationship. I'm not just giving. The workplace and the environment that I choose to be a part of should value me, and it should be a healthy place to work.