LEAD graduate profile: Isatou, from The Gambia

 

Communities thrive when everyone is equipped with the tools for success. New Women New Yorkers believes in the vast potential that every immigrant woman coming to New York has to contribute to our city, regardless of her national origin, cultural background, or educational level. Donate today to our campaign Support Immigrant Women to Enter the Workforce: https://support-immigrant-women.causevox.com

LEAD and LEAD for New Moms are free workforce development programs for immigrant women. Currently offered by New Women New Yorkers several times a year at New York Public Library branches and other host organizations, the programs focus on job readiness and soft skills training to support and prepare participants for entry or reintegration into the workforce in NYC or to pursue higher education. Here, we introduce you to one of our inspiring LEAD graduates.

Isatou moved to New York City from The Gambia in December 2016 to join her husband, and participated in the LEAD series in spring 2017 at Chatham Square Library. “What I love most about NYC is its diversity,” she says. Below, Isatou shares her LEAD experience, how she spends her free time, and her advice for other new immigrants.

Why were you interested in participating in the LEAD program?

As a feminist and women’s human rights defender, I am always interested in programs and activities that empower women and girls and build their collective voices. When I arrived in New York City and was waiting for my immigration status to regularize for me to be able to work, I was looking for women’s rights organizations that I could volunteer with. Through research, I found out about New Women New Yorkers and its amazing LEAD program which really struck me.

As an immigrant, a woman immigrant for that matter, I know there are lot of challenges that I will encounter moving forward with my life and professional career. I found the LEAD program to be really empowering for women immigrants and thought it would greatly enhance my professional and leadership development, which made me interested to participate in it.

How has the LEAD program helped you?

Being an immigrant woman is not easy for anyone, especially in a big city like NYC. The program has been really helpful by providing me with a safe space to express myself. I developed professionally, increased my confidence, and networked and connected with people who became mentors to me. Through participating in a LEAD roundtable discussion I connected with Jerin Arifa, who introduced me to her former employer, the YWCA of the City of New York, and facilitated an internship for me there.

The LEAD program also gave me the opportunity to learn and practice my interview skills and develop my elevator pitch, and taught me strategies for sending cold emails, which greatly helped me in securing a job. Additionally, through the program I was able to improve my LinkedIn profile, which I am effectively using to network and connect with professionals in my industry. Also, the program helped me develop my professional action plan to pursue my goal and succeed in my chosen career path.

How have you been adjusting to the work environment here?

The program has really transformed my life in NYC because I learned about the US workplace culture, which is completely different from where I came from, The Gambia. I came to the US with a three-page resume, which I had to reduce to the standard one-page resume requested by most employers here. The facilitators in the program helped me improve my resume to the acceptable US standard, which helped me greatly in my job search. Because of the program, I am also able to write better cover letters, which is a key factor in securing jobs in the US.

I don’t have a permanent job yet. I am currently a Youth Engagement intern with Women Deliver, where I work on young people’s sexual and reproductive health rights, providing support for the young leaders program and research on youth sexual and reproductive health issues around the world. More information about Women Deliver can be found here: www.womendeliver.org.

How do you spend your free time in NYC?

I volunteer for causes I care about. I am part of the Center for African Empowerment (CFAE), a non-profit organization empowering African immigrants in the US by providing workforce development, help finding housing, links to pro-bono immigration lawyers, and information about college scholarships and financial aid to help them pursue their education and smoothly integrate into the US.

I also volunteer with The Girls’ Agenda, a youth-led organization that promotes girls’ and young women’s rights, empowerment, and leadership skills. This organization is based in The Gambia but I volunteer offline, doing mostly online communications work.

Additionally, in my free time I read books, go to the movies, and visit historical places and parks. I also like attending events for causes I care about, like the Women’s March, AIDS walk, and Cancer Walk.  

What do you like most about living here?

As an immigrant, I don’t feel much culture shock in the US because NYC is a very diverse city with different people. There are different foods — even African food is easily accessible. Also, the fun nature of the city. There are lots of activities going on and I always have something to engage myself with. The beautiful Hudson River is a place I love so much and regularly visit. Also, I love Central Park and do go there on my free time, especially in the summer.

Do you have any advice for other women who are considering LEAD?

I would advise anyone thinking about joining the program to go for it. It’s a great program and truly empowering. You will learn a lot through the amazing facilitators, develop your skills, and network with people who will help you in your job search and build your confidence. Also, I made friends through the program and learned a lot through hearing about the experiences of other women immigrants. We supported each other and I always had someone being there for me.

My experience with the program made me truly believe that when you believe in yourself and get connected with the right support system, you can achieve a lot. It’s always tough before it gets sweet, but in the end, one’s hard work pays off.

Communities thrive when everyone is equipped with the tools for success. New Women New Yorkers believes in the vast potential that every immigrant woman coming to New York has to contribute to our city, regardless of her national origin, cultural background, or educational level. Donate today to our campaign Support Immigrant Women to Enter the Workforce: https://support-immigrant-women.causevox.com