Jane Okonkwo migrated to the UK five years ago. Her migration journey so far has been a smooth and easy-going experience, largely due to the element of intentionality she added to her planning. Having schooled in the UK in 2005, she was quite familiar with the UK culture and lifestyle. So, when she decided to relocate in 2019, she ensured that her children acquired relevant skills, such as coding and music, which would help them stand out in their new home. She also pursued additional certifications and earned another master’s degree to further her HR career in the UK. Jane tells her full story here:
Having our annual vacation in the UK was very beneficial in helping us decide to relocate there and also settle in seamlessly. Despite this, we spent about five years planning and preparing before we eventually relocated in 2019. I also acquired my CIPD certification in 2014 to prepare me for a career in Human resources in the UK. I also exposed my children to various computer software and acquired many skills to enable them to integrate seamlessly.
I came to the UK with plans to work, but I also had to care for my kids while pursuing another master’s degree. There was no space for a job in between all of this, so I focused on school and my kids. After school, I decided to look for a job. I hoped to secure jobs that would run during school hours so that they wouldn’t conflict with my school schedule, and I found a position as a teaching assistant, which I held for a year. After this, I applied for a job in HR and decided that, since we have been here for a year, I can make arrangements for school pick-up and drop-off for my kids, and child care.
Finally, I landed a job as an HR manager in a manufacturing company, marking my triumphant return to my career in HR. This was followed by another significant milestone-I secured the position of Head of HR in another company. It has been a rewarding journey, watching my kids grow and learn at an accelerated pace, and witnessing the robustness of their education. Looking back, I am filled with a sense of accomplishment and gratitude for the decision to relocate to the UK. I have no cause for regret whatsoever.
I am also grateful for the level of intentionality that I put into my planning, and this is where most people miss it. You can’t just uproot your life and children without embarking on thorough research about where to stay, the school culture of your intended destination and your career trajectory. Most of the time, we do things because they’re in trend and people are doing them as well. More often than not, we make wrong decisions that could have been avoided.
My advice to women of color and anyone planning to migrate is to focus on continuous self-improvement. Consider your skill set and how you can enhance it to make yourself more marketable. Also consider if you need to acquire more certifications and upskill. Remember, during interviews, it’s not just about what’s on your CV, but about what you can do and how you can demonstrate your abilities, stay driven and keep improving.
Additionally, as an HR professional, I want to dispel the notion that people must compulsorily begin with menial jobs when they enter the country. There are no so called menial jobs; we have plumbers and carpenters living well. If you want to move into your chosen career in the UK more readily, you should expose yourself to this career trajectory, even in Nigeria.
Therefore, it is wise to understand how to conduct yourself in an interview and consider hiring a career coach to guide you through the job search process here in the UK. With planning, intentionality, and adapting your skills to your new environment, you will reach your desired destination.
Jane tells her story from Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom.
