Four Reasons to Bring Your First Generation Identity to Work
One of the distinguishing features of a first generation professional is the intersection of a “non-traditional” career journey with your unique personal and professional background.
While it may be tempting to diminish one’s first generation status in lieu of assimilating to a new environment, consider that your identity can meaningfully impact your work and inspire those around you. By bringing your whole self to work, you will not only stay true to your values and goals, but also share your insight and leverage your point of view. In this Article, we touch on the benefits of bringing your whole identity to work as a first generation young professional.
Offer Your Perspective
Your worldview is your strength
First generation professionals are embarking on a journey that no one in their family or community has undertaken previously. While this can be intimidating, you are not without valuable tools that will help you succeed, such as your understanding of your own culture and soft skills that your peers who have been prepared for corporate life, but not necessarily real life, may not have. This combination can be leveraged in the workplace to great success, especially if your employer recognizes the value and encourages you to express it creatively.
As a member of a minority group, you probably have points of view, insights, and experiences that differ from those of many of your colleagues, which can help you to produce nuanced work. (1).
Not in a creative field? Not a problem. You can leverage your unique communication skills, problem-solving experience, accountability, and well-established personal responsibility to develop your corporate leadership skills.
Not sure what distinctive skills you have as a first generation professional? Consider engaging in brief thought exercises to generate some ideas. Be sure to include your personal competencies and values; leaning into those will help connect the dots between your new professional goals.
Your experiences, both positive and negative, have and continue to shape who you are and what you stand for. Reflecting on your experiences as a first-generation (student/professional) can help you identify the values and skills most important to you and set you apart from your peers. Take the time to journal about your experiences, talk to mentors or friends and think about how you want to use your experiences to make a difference in your field. (2).
Correct Outdated or Incorrect Information
Another benefit of celebrating your identity in the workplace is the opportunity to correct or counter messaging to (or within) your cultural group. We will discuss overcoming stereotypes in the next section, but, first, there may be an opportunity to provide more objective value to your company’s work.
For example, you may notice that certain communication or products meant for your age demographic may not be utilizing the most up-to-date language or highlighting the appropriate values for that group. If you are empowered to do so, consider raising your hand to suggest updates and give your reasoning, based on your personal experiences or background.
You may also wish to share your insights in order to help shape sensitive advertising, products, or communications. On occasion, you may choose to point out insensitive messaging. (1).
This is equally important when assisting members of your cultural or demographic group communicate with the larger majority; as someone with meaningful experience in both groups, can you provide insight that will help minority businesses and entrepreneurs appeal to a larger customer base? Are you uniquely aware of a benefit known by your cultural or generational demographic that could be meaningful to your community at large? As a first generation professional, you have the ability to connect the dots in a unique way and help craft the most effective messaging to relay your points.
Defeat Stereotyping
While not your sole responsibility, as a person or as an employee, you may feel compelled to challenge existing stereotypes in your workplace.
First generation professionals sometimes struggle with the perception of unpreparedness or lack of skillfulness; by celebrating your unique background, you can show such preparation through your unconventional path to the workforce. Leverage your unique soft skills (such as accountability and leadership) to show that your life experiences have been just as valuable in preparing you for corporate life.
“When you consider the possibility that coworkers already have their preconceived stereotypes about different cultural groups, rich cultural expression will only take you uphill from there,” the professor said. “You give people the ability to change how they view you and your background. It can elevate the status of that person’s group membership in the eyes of others.” (3).
For example, if you were responsible for household management, convert those skills into project management - you already have a highly developed sense of organization and follow through. If you contributed to family expenses, find small ways to demonstrate your fiscal responsibility or understanding of business bottom lines. Don’t let a corporate environment change the reality of your skillset.
Respect and transparency
Not only does showcasing your identity expose your teammates to other perspectives and ways of life, it can also build trust and rapport to show them “the real you.” It can also build familiarity with your cultural norms in a structured, safe environment, which can then be expanded upon outside of work.
Arnett said rich cultural-identity expression increases inclusivity and professional opportunities . . . [by] caus[ing] people to have more respect for their minority coworkers. By sharing culturally relevant information, minority employees may be able to debunk or reframe stereotypes held by majority colleagues . . .” (3).
Be Visible
You are not alone in the workforce as a first generation young professional. There may be first generation professionals already established at your company and you will likely meet first gen professionals throughout your industry career. By visibly embracing and celebrating your identity throughout your career, you will inspire the next generation of young professionals to do the same. You give inherent permission for more introverted colleagues to begin to come out of their shells and be proud of their first generation status.
Share personal information, especially in ways that show vulnerability. When managers set that precedent, it helps minority employees feel less marginalized and more empowered to share their own stories. (3).
Your first gen status is a superpower
Leaning into your first generation status means something different to everyone and there is no wrong way to express it at work. Even through small gestures, such as making suggestions in meetings to better reflect your cultural community or bringing a heritage dish to share with your coworkers, you can celebrate your background (and leverage your unique experience to put forward bespoke work). Remember that you have a meaningful and significant skillset that has been developed over time; the combination of hard work, accountability, and desire to succeed is what makes you a valuable member of your team.
For more inspiration on how to bring your whole identity to work, check out the How to Show up as Your Authentic Self in Your Career as a Young Professional panel, featuring FGPM Vice President Margaret Nedow (Feb 12).
Citations
Cha , Sandra E, and Laura Morgan Roberts. “The Benefits of Bringing Your Whole Identity to Work.” Harvard Business Review, 30 Sept. 2019, hbr.org/2019/09/the-benefits-of-bringing-your-whole-identity-to-work.
Lalani, Mobeen. “Shaping Your Identity: A Reflection for First-Generation Students and Professionals to Find Their Voice.” Medium, 31 Jan. 2023, medium.com/@mobeenlalani/shaping-your-identity-a-reflection-for-first-generation-students-and-professionals-to-find-their-97f0997a5a1d.
Arnette, Rachel. “How to Bring Your Cultural Identity to Work.” Knowledge at Wharton, 28 Feb. 2023, knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/how-to-bring-your-cultural-identity-to-work/.
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