Being an immigrant in the workplace comes with its own set of challenges. Learning the ropes of a new work culture while navigating the differences in language, looks, and traditions can make you feel like you stick out. And let me tell you, that feeling of being different often shapes how others see you. I've dealt with comments like, "You only got this job because the company was desperate," or being told my role was "out of reach" for someone like me. Those moments hit hard and make you realize just how many barriers exist in some workplaces.
Feeling Left Out at Work
When I first entered the professional world as an immigrant, I often felt like the odd one out. Comments like "you only got the job because they had no one else" or "you didn’t stand a chance in the open selection" really made me feel like I wasn’t seen as an equal. These kinds of remarks made it clear that being an immigrant often meant being judged differently. Research backs this up: immigrants often face barriers to fitting in or being fully embraced at work (Carter-Sowell et al., 2021). Over time, these moments left me hyper-aware of the structural and personal challenges immigrants face, making it tough to feel like I truly belonged.
On top of that, blending into the work culture was a daily struggle. My religion, my accent, my age, the way I dressed, even the food I brought for lunch – all of it seemed to draw attention. It might sound small, but hearing comments in meetings about my accent or jokes about what I was eating was a constant reminder that I wasn’t quite "one of them." These seemingly minor things added up to a bigger feeling of exclusion, making it hard to form genuine connections with coworkers. Every small interaction seemed to carry a layer of judgement or doubt, which made trust and collaboration a struggle (Miminoshvili & Černe, 2021). It wasn’t just about work; even casual conversations felt like walking on eggshells because of unspoken biases.
When Progress Feels Out of Reach
Career growth was another sore spot. One particularly tough moment was when a former trainee of mine got promoted to a position above me. I’d been in the role longer and had more experience, but none of that seemed to matter. It made me question whether my efforts were truly valued or if my status as an immigrant overshadowed everything else. This wasn’t just about me – it reminded me of the larger, systemic issues that limit opportunities for immigrants in the workplace (Lieberson, 2023). It’s frustrating to think that these exclusionary practices still exist, even in modern, "diverse" workplaces. They don’t just hold people back; they chip away at your confidence and make you wonder if you’ll ever be seen for your skills, rather than where you’re from.
On the flip side, there were times when I was offered support to improve my skills, but even that wasn’t always straightforward. For instance, being referred to someone for "professional development" made me feel a bit uneasy. Sure, it was great to know the organization cared about my growth, but it also felt like a spotlight on what I was supposedly lacking. It was this weird mix of gratitude and discomfort – happy for the opportunity, but wondering if I was being singled out because I wasn’t seen as good enough. It’s tricky because even well-meaning actions can unintentionally make you feel excluded or "different" (Chang-Muy & Congress, 2023).
Why Diversity Isn’t Enough
From my experience, it’s clear that diversity alone doesn’t guarantee inclusion. You need more than just a mix of people; you need systems in place to break down stereotypes, level the playing field, and ensure everyone feels like they belong. Immigrants often face extra hurdles, not because we’re any less capable, but because of biases baked into organizational structures and power dynamics. To truly create inclusive workplaces, companies need to go beyond surface-level diversity efforts. They need to actively work on fostering collaboration, participation, and mutual respect among employees. It’s about moving past diversity being a numbers game and embracing it as a meaningful way to strengthen the workplace.
Wrapping It Up
As an immigrant in the workplace, the journey has been a rollercoaster. From feeling excluded and underestimated to finding moments of support that were often bittersweet, it’s been a constant balancing act. The challenges are real – navigating biases, handling subtle (and not-so-subtle) reminders that you’re "different," and pushing against barriers that block growth. But these experiences have made one thing clear: workplaces need to do more than just talk about diversity. They need to step up and create environments where every employee, no matter their background, feels valued and included. Inclusion isn’t just about fairness – it’s about making sure every person has the opportunity to contribute and thrive. It’s a big ask, but it’s the only way organizations can truly live up to their potential as equitable and welcoming spaces for everyone.
References
Sources not cited in text
Bernstein, R. S., Bulger, M., Salipante, P., & Weisinger, J. Y. (2020). From diversity to inclusion to equity: A theory of generative interactions. Journal of Business Ethics, 167(3), 395–410. https://www.jstor.org/stable/45386902
Crawford, J., Kapisavanhu, N., Moore, J., Crawford, C., & Lundy, T. (2023). A critical review of social exclusion and inclusion among immigrant and refugee women. Wiley Online Library, 2023(1). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/8889358
Farashah, A. D., & Blomquist, T. (2021). Work experiences of qualified immigrants: a review of theoretical progress. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, 41(7), 1063–1090. https://doi.org/10.1108/edi-01-2019-0046
