Gabriela

“I was born and raised in Italy, but my parents are from Ghana and Nigeria. Growing up, my background wasn’t really an issue, it started here in England. I studied English literature as my bachelor’s, and then for my master’s I went for public relations. But I’m not in PR, or an English teacher right now! I actually ended up becoming a blogger.

I didn’t manage to find a job within traditional routes for a long time. I thought that my background was affecting my chances. My feedback would always come back saying I was great, I was amazing and had all the right skills that they were looking for, but apparently I wasn’t the right fit for that team.

I’d think, “Really? I’m not the right fit for the team?” But my storytelling abilities come across and my writing style is impeccable? There’s something not right. Especially when you go through not one, not two but three or four interviews, you can actually taste it. I thought it was my background. At the same time, an interview is literally the way you come across and about clicking with the right person and being there at the right time with the right person. I did an interview for a role that was designated for someone from a BAME background, and I had the exact same feedback. I guess I am not always the best and I can’t find a way to become the best!

That’s why I created the blog, and the blog has allowed people to come to me instead of me going to them. Content creation became my outlet and my way to make a living without compromising myself.”