Corporate culture wasn’t built for people like us

Read time: 5 mins (Decided to treat you today)

Some of us didn’t grow up with family friends in HR.

We didn’t get internships through uncles who “knew someone.”
We learned everything from Google, YouTube, and through trial and error.

I know that world because I’ve lived it.

My parents didn’t work in the corporate world.
When I entered that space, I had no idea what I was walking into.
No blueprint. No backdoor. No one to translate the unspoken rules.

And yet I was able to get a corporate job and lead on high-profile projects at a top investment bank.
Because I learned how to move through those spaces on my own terms.

Today, I want to share the 3 things I wish someone had told me sooner.

1. Understand that corporate language ≠ your worth

You might not know how to say things like:
“We’ll take this offline.”
or
“Let’s sync on that later.”

And that’s okay.

Corporate culture is full of phrases that can feel like code, especially when you didn’t grow up hearing them.

My advice? Don’t try to perform. Ask questions. Reflect their language back, but stay authentic. Being clear and respectful is more powerful than “sounding corporate.”

2. Build relationships before you think you’re ready

When you come from a background where relationships didn’t unlock doors, networking can feel fake.

But the truth is, connection beats qualifications most of the time.

The people who mentor you, speak your name in rooms, and help you grow, they won’t know you exist unless you reach out.

So you can start to build your relationships by messaging someone after a team call.

Comment thoughtfully on LinkedIn. Ask one person to share their story of how they got started.

You don’t need 100 contacts.
You need three people who want to help you.

3. Don’t hide your story

There will be moments where you want to “blend in.”
You’ll shrink your accent. Hide your background. Laugh along when you feel out of place.

But I want you to know.

Your background is not a burden. It’s your strength.

Every barrier you faced built resilience.
Every job taught you people skills.
Every detour shaped your perspective.

So, don’t be afraid to say where you came from. You’re not here despite it. You’re here because of it.

You are the evidence that success doesn’t have a postcode.

Thanks for reading. I’ll be sharing more on workplace confidence, visibility, and soft skill-building in the next edition.

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– Mawuena