Why Professional Development can be a Game-Changer for Global Majority Women

For many women of colour, navigating the professional world can feel like stepping onto an invisible playing field—one where the rules aren’t always clear, and the pathways to success can seem uncertain. When I first started out, I didn’t have a mentor who looked like me, nor did I feel comfortable voicing my ambitions or asking for career guidance. Whilst the professional spaces I found myself in weren't unfamiliar, I often felt isolated—grappling with quiet doubts about whether I truly belonged and whether my voice carried weight.

It wasn’t until much later in my career that I fully confronted those feelings. Through soul-searching conversations with friends and family, I realised I wasn’t alone. So many other women of colour had walked the same path, feeling the same uncertainty and isolation. Through our Pathways program, we’ve worked with dozens of women of colour at early to mid-career stages, and their stories seem to echo this experience.

But here’s what’s powerful—when given the right support, the shift is undeniable. Confidence grows. Voices get stronger. Careers take shape in ways that once felt out of reach.

The Confidence Gap—and How We Close It

Research shows that confidence, not just competence, is a key factor in career progression. A Harvard Business Review study found that women tend to underestimate their abilities compared to men, even when performance levels are the same. Add to that the experience of being one of the few (or only) women of colour in the room, and the challenge of self-advocacy becomes even greater.

This is exactly what we’ve seen in our programs. When we asked participants at the start of the program about their biggest career blockers:

• 42% struggled with speaking up in meetings.
• 57% felt unclear about career progression and promotion opportunities.
• 36% felt their contributions were overlooked or undervalued.

By the end of the program we see a fundamental shift, 100% of mentees reported feeling significantly more confident in advocating for themselves—whether that meant speaking up in meetings, negotiating pay, or putting themselves forward for new opportunities.

So, confidence isn’t just about how we feel—it’s about how we show up. And when we show up fully, with the right support, doors start to open.

Mentorship: More Than Just Advice

For women of colour, mentorship isn’t just guidance—it can be a lifeline. Too often, when we enter workplaces where we don’t see ourselves reflected in leadership, we don't know who to turn to. Who will truly understands our experiences, the barriers we face, or the additional layers of self-doubt we carry.

This is why mentorship within Pathways is different.

?? One of our mentees through the programme shared this:

"My key challenges are speaking up which stems from sometimes being the only person of colour in the room, imposter syndrome and not being heard, and thinking what I say can be silly. I feel that I also lack sponsorship at a senior level and have not had development opportunities. Working with my Mentor who was a woman of colour and could understand the challenges I was facing and my Sponsor who could unblock paths for me in the organisation, I feel so much more empowered to use my voice, take up space but also challenge myself on doing the things that scare me i.e public speaking and not second guessing opportunities."

Through mentorship and guided professional development, mentees gain the tools to:

• Speak up with confidence.
• Navigate workplace challenges without feeling isolated.
• See themselves as leaders—not someday, but now.

This kind of mentorship isn’t just about getting ahead—it’s about breaking down the doubts that keep so many talented women of colour from reaching their full potential.

Because when you finally have someone in your corner who understands, affirms, and empowers you, the whole game changes.

The Power of Community

One of the most underrated aspects of professional development is community. Many women of colour experience isolation—being the only person of colour in a team or in leadership can feel like constantly being on the outside looking in.

That's why through Pathways, we’ve seen firsthand how creating spaces for women of colour to connect, learn, and grow together is game-changing.

??100% of mentees reported feeling more confident in their own potential after the program.

??Many said they no longer feel alone in their workplace.

That’s what professional development should do—not just teach skills, but fundamentally shift how you see yourself and what's possible for you.

Why This Matters Now

Right now, we’re seeing a pullback on DEI initiatives across industries. Some companies are quietly moving away from the language of diversity, equity, and inclusion, rebranding their efforts under softer terms like belonging or talent retention. Others are scaling back completely.

But here’s the thing: diversity isn’t going anywhere.

• The future of talent is more diverse than ever.
• In the UK, ethnic minority populations are set to double by 2051, which means the next generation of professionals will come from a wider range of racial, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds than ever before.
• Businesses that don’t recognise this shift and actively invest in diverse talent now will fall behind.

They’ll miss out on skills, innovation, and perspectives that are shaping the future economy.

This isn’t just about doing the right thing—it’s about staying relevant and competitive in a changing world.

Why am I telling you this —And Why You Should Take This Opportunity?

I didn’t always understand the power of professional development. I thought if I just worked hard enough, it would all fall into place.

But working hard isn’t always enough.

I spent years hesitating to advocate for myself, unsure of who to turn to for guidance. I didn’t realise that I didn’t have to navigate my career alone.

It took finding the right mentors, learning how to build networks, and stepping into spaces that actually saw me—to shift my confidence and my career trajectory.

And that’s exactly what our Pathways programme is.

If you’re an early to mid-career woman of colour—if you’re feeling overlooked, unsure of your next step, or just craving a network of women who truly get it—this might be the space you need right now.

This isn’t just another professional development course. This is mentorship, training, and guidance led by senior women of colour who have walked this path before.

This is a chance to invest in yourself. To build confidence. To find clarity. To step into the next stage of your career with purpose.

If I had access to something like this earlier in my career, I would have taken it in a heartbeat!

Don’t let this opportunity pass you by.

You can join our Open Pathways programme that begins at the end of February - a six month professional development programme designed for women of colour.

?? Applications for Open Pathways Bursary close on 7th February 2025. Learn more about the programme here and apply here:

#OpenPathways #WomenOfColour #ProfessionalDevelopment #MentorshipMatters #CareerGrowth #DiversityInLeadership

Written by Haseena Farid, Co-Founder, WOCGN