Meet Ruth Dhliwayo
CC24 Founder – Business Development Manager
BSc Biological Science – MSc Project Management
" Be what you can't see - YOU.
What is your role at work?
I am part of a team that is responsible for developing the business side of my organisation to increase company revenue. I manage a number of projects, most recently setting up a bus company. I also get to write persuasive proposals for potential contracts.
How do you feel about where you are in your career?
The journey to where I am now has been exciting, weird, funny, happy, sad at times but hey, its a journey so there's bound to be a few surprises. I feel proud of my career progression. I never would have thought that I would end up in transport! When I was young I wanted to be a doctor but as you grow up, you evaluate your skills, and I realised I'm more of a people person and I'm too squeamish to be a doctor, so hence I chose to go down the project management route. I'm proud of how far I've come on this journey and I can't wait to see where my journey takes me.
What’s the biggest challenge that you face in your professional life?
Since joining the transport industry (which has traditionally been a male-dominated industry and has people that have worked there for donkey years!), I've often found myself, more times than I can count, in rooms where I am the only woman and on top of that, a black, young, petite woman. At first it was very intimidating because I felt like "well, what can I say that will make them listen to me?, I don't have the same experience as them." It crossed my mind to try and be more "male-ish." The one thing that was prominent from the male figures in those rooms, after experience, was their egos so I quickly realised I couldn't be them and that I just had to be me. I learnt to boost my ego, which came with building my confidence and believing in my capabilities because I was just as deserving as everyone at the table. So I started by saying a thing or two at meetings and actually, they listened.
That experience taught me to embrace my differences. We often talk about diversity as race, age, sexuality, but it's more than that, it's about bringing a different perspective. Although there is strength in numbers, when you don't have them you need to be the outlier and trust in yourself. What I've learnt from this challenge, is most of the times we limit ourselves based on the negative preconceived notions that run though our head because you're different, we just need to eliminate negative thinking.
Are role models important to you?
Yes. Without a doubt. It is the very foundation of why we started CC24, because representation matters. A study conducted by CIPD revealed that "all BAME employees, regardless of ethnicity, are significantly more likely than white British employees to say that seeing other people like them who have progressed in the organisation would help boost their careers" - Something that resonates strongly with my experience.
Hence, I am a big advocate on 'be what you can't see'. Personal or professional if you see a gap, take up that space. I didn't see me at the start of my career, if I had, I think I would have had a different experience. My hope is that I can be that story for someone.
I have a number of role models I take inspiration from that not only look like me but are people I admire who are doing great both in their personal and professional life and I learn from them - it never stops. Getting that knowledge and drawing from their experiences has positively impacted my personal and professional growth. And so yes, role models are extremely important.
What advice would you give to young people who are still starting off in their career?
From my experience, I would advice a young person to learn to be adaptable, build your network, understand cultural capital and remember to always be yourself. Lastly, learn the importance of investing yourself - whether its time, money or education.
But before it even gets to starting your career, as a young person you must be zealous about your pursuit to find and embrace challenges. By doing this, you learn the greatest skill - adaptability. I became a youth president for my church at the age of 15. I was so shy and timid but the experience moulded me into the person I am today. It was simple things like preparing agendas, compiling minutes, speaking to crowds, knowing how to speak in meetings, developing youth objectives, action plans and arranging events. Opportunities to grow will always be around you but you must be willing to take them.
If you're just starting out in your career be confident in your abilities even if you don't understand a particular task, utilise the resources around you and learn. Understand you wouldn't be where you are if that organisation didn't think you were good enough.
And last, NETWORK.