Bright Network member Umair shares his advice
"As a Muslim student from a lower socio-economic background, here are my tips based on my own experiences."
My name is Umair, and I’m a Bright Network member and second-year student at the University of Warwick. I’m pursuing a career in law and I’ve had multiple experiences within the corporate world, including a vacation scheme, and various spring weeks NS work experience programmes in law firms across the City.
As a Muslim student from a lower socio-economic background, I know that entering a world where people from similar backgrounds are difficult to find is daunting. In this article, I’ll provide practical tips and advice based on my own experiences to encourage you to overcome these mental barriers that you might be facing.
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Why this is an important topic
A key reason why this topic needs to be discussed is that from my experience, many students from underrepresented backgrounds are put off from pursuing corporate careers.
The most common words I’ve heard are that corporate life “isn’t for people like us”. This mindset is all too familiar to me, and I’d be lying if I said that thoughts like this have never come to my own mind. It’s clear that there are mental barriers for people like myself.
A report conducted by Rare highlighted many issues faced by South Asian, predominantly Muslim, students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds in breaking into corporate law.
Key problems included the lack of role models, the drinking culture within the City and concerns around taking time out for prayer during the day or observing fasts during the time of Ramadan. It also made clear that these issues have an intersectional impact, relating to ethnicity, religion and socio-economic status – something that I can attest to myself.
Build confidence by embracing your differences
A lot of the barriers faced by students trace back to being and feeling different to others. However, this does not need to be a negative. In fact, we should use our unique backgrounds as strengths that differentiate us as students.
The first key change we need to make is a mindset shift; we should recognise that our differences are strengths not weaknesses. Our individual identities are an asset in the workplace, bringing fresh insights, encouraging innovative ideas, and enriching a workplace’s culture.
Imposter syndrome is something that everyone faces, but it can particularly affect those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. It’s completely natural to feel like you don’t belong, especially in environments where people from similar backgrounds are underrepresented.
Start to reframe these challenges as opportunities for growth and remind yourself of your achievements. Confidence always takes some time and effort to grow, but it will significantly help to recognise your differences as strengths.
Within the workplace, it is entirely possible to balance your faith with professional commitments with some planning and open communication. Many companies have designated prayer spaces and rooms that are open for you to use. In case there isn’t one, you might need to plan ahead to book empty meeting rooms.
Communication is key, particularly with early careers and HR staff. It’s important to inform them of your need for a space to pray and Halal catering options ahead of time. During Ramadan, it’s equally important to let your supervisors know in advance to accommodate fasting.
By proactively sharing how adjustments around prayer or fasting will support your well-being and productivity, you can foster understanding and uphold both faith and professional commitments.
Corporate events often revolve around alcohol, and as highlighted earlier, this can seem like a key barrier for Muslim students. Navigating these situations tactfully will ensure that you can participate without compromising your identity or principles.
I recommend assessing the importance of the event. If there isn’t a need for you to be there, ask if you can be excused. If there is a need for you to be there, attend the event for a short period of time to network before politely excusing yourself after some time.
Sticking to your principles is the most important thing. If you are uncomfortable, communicate the HR, recruitment or people teams so that they can accommodate you better.
While it may feel awkward or difficult to communicate your needs, open dialogue is crucial to ensure a more inclusive workplace environment that you can feel at home in. The majority of the time, people are simply unaware of adjustments such as prayer or fasting and are happy to support you once you explain.
Network to build community
Networking is crucial from a professional perspective, but also as a means of ensuring your comfort within the workplace. In particular, mentorship can be beneficial and provide you with guidance and support. Mentors can provide advice based on their own experiences of navigating the challenges you might be facing.
Don’t hesitate to ask for guidance and support – people are eager to play their role in supporting you on your journey. The support of people who have been in your shoes can help provide reassurance and a much-needed confidence boost as well as helpful actionable advice.
Increasingly, more companies are hosting employee affinity groups (AGs) or employee resource groups (ERGs). These are communities of employees within a company made up of staff from similar groups or who have similar passions. For example, there may be a social mobility group or a Muslim network.
These kinds of groups help you to build connections with like-minded people from similar backgrounds and find a sense of community. They’ll often host events and provide resources that address specific challenges you might be facing. Most importantly, they can help to raise awareness about certain issues. This is especially useful if you feel uncomfortable raising something directly yourself.
Closing thoughts
I hope that I’ve been able to provide you with some tips and advice that you can implement to feel encouraged in the corporate world. I would like to stress that your background and identity should never be viewed as a barrier.
Authenticity and success are not mutually exclusive. It is possible to achieve success in corporate settings without compromising your identity, faith and values.
Seek out mentors, join networks and take advantage of opportunities that come to you. Ultimately, if we’re put off because of a lack of role models from similar backgrounds, we might prevent ourselves from developing into future role models. However, when we navigate the challenges discussed with transparency and authenticity, we can set a powerful example.
By taking steps towards your goals, you can build your own confidence but also inspire those around you.
