Welcome to the first of my series on A Career in Careers, a series spotlighting career development practitioners – in this post, I share Sarfraz Ahmed’s journey.
In a recent interview, I had the opportunity to sit down with Sarfraz Ahmed, a career development practitioner with a rich and diverse background. Sarfraz, a British Pakistani and Muslim, has carved out a significant role in a predominantly white, middle-class sector.
Sarfraz reflected on how his diverse background has enabled him to connect with a broad range of people, particularly with those from ethnic minority communities who find his experiences relatable. He shared an anecdote highlighting this connection: during an open day, Muslim students were drawn towards him, seemingly comforted by his familiar presence. His understanding of their struggles, including language barriers and foreign qualifications, proved invaluable in offering them support.
Sarfraz’s journey towards becoming a career development practitioner began in an unexpected manner. During his teenage years, a career matching programme suggested he would make an excellent career advisor. This idea stayed with him. Yet, it was only during his sociology degree, whilst researching attainment rates among ethnic minorities, that he felt a pull towards this profession. His research highlighted a lack of understanding and support for ethnic minority groups in career advice, pushing him towards a path where he could make a difference.
While volunteering at a job centre, Sarfraz met an inspiring career advisor who helped him gain invaluable work experience. This experience led him to secure a trainee position in Derby, where he furthered his qualifications. However, the journey was not without obstacles. Sarfraz faced microaggressions and discriminatory comments about his religion and background from colleagues. They failed to pronounce his name correctly, made ignorant remarks about his religious practices, and even attempted to change his name to “Simon” for their convenience.
Despite these challenges, Sarfraz remained steadfast, choosing to focus on the bigger picture. These experiences only strengthened his resolve to create a more inclusive and understanding environment within his field.
Sarfraz’s story is a reminder of the importance of diversity and inclusion, not just in the workplace, but in all aspects of life. His journey highlights the resilience and determination needed to navigate and challenge the status quo. His impact as a career advisor provides a beacon of hope for those in marginalised communities.
Sarfraz acknowledged the power imbalance he faced during his training phase, with the promise of a full-time job at the end of it, potentially silencing any objections. The lack of diversity in the sector and limited representation of different ethnicities contributed to his feeling of powerlessness. However, meeting a Pakistani team leader from Birmingham during a placement in Leicester was a turning point. In the familiarity of a shared background, Sarfraz found support and solace.
Throughout his career, Sarfraz’s diverse background greatly influenced his approach to career development. He understood the importance of having relatable role models in the field, especially for minority students. He shared a poignant anecdote of a young woman worried about her future due to cultural expectations, emphasising the understanding and empathy he could offer due to his own background. He provided her with reassurance, career guidance, and referred her to the necessary counselling and mentoring services, ensuring she felt supported and understood.
The Intersection of Poetry and Diversity
In the second part of our conversation, Sarfraz Ahmed, a career development practitioner and poet, opened up about his journey through the professional world and his experiences expressed through poetry.
Turning to his journey as a poet, Sarfraz discovered his love for poetry quite accidentally when he came across his sister’s poems. Despite cultural stereotypes about men writing poetry, he wrote secretly for about a decade, gradually gaining confidence and validation for his work through workshops and interactions with fellow poets. His first book, published in 2020, marked a significant milestone after years of rejection and perseverance.
Sarfraz’s poetry reflects his diverse background, covering themes such as Asian and Muslim communities, Pakistani culture, and personal experiences. He addresses issues like arranged marriage and cultural expectations, which resonate with many readers. His poem, “My Date with the Super Muslim,” is a personal account of a challenging encounter, showcasing the vulnerability and honesty he brings to his work.
Among his body of work, two pieces hold a special place for Sarfraz: “The 84 Pins,” a poignant depiction of a reluctant bride’s feelings, and “The Stabbing of the Pomegranate,” a metaphorical exploration of rejection. His most recent collection, “The Rumblings of the Romantic Poet,” is his most open and honest collection to date.
Sarfraz’s story underscores the importance of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. He encourages others to turn their unique traits into strengths and to seek out supportive communities and opportunities. His journey as a career development practitioner and a poet exemplifies how embracing one’s diverse background can open doors to understanding, connection, and expression.
In sharing his story, Sarfraz continues to inspire and empower others who may be navigating similar paths, reminding us all of the importance of diversity and representation in all aspects of life.
Bridging Worlds: Sarfraz Ahmed’s Journey Through Career Development and Poetry
In an enlightening conversation with Sarfraz Ahmed, we discovered the fascinating interplay of his diverse background as a British Pakistani and Muslim in shaping his journey both as a career development practitioner and a poet. Sarfraz’s story offers a profound insight into the challenges and triumphs of navigating a predominantly white, middle-class sector and how he has used his unique cultural perspective to enrich his work and connect with diverse communities.
A Struggle with Power Imbalance
As a trainee in the early stages of his career, Sarfraz grappled with a significant power imbalance. The tantalising promise of a full-time job at the completion of his training curtailed his ability to voice any concerns or objections about the challenges he faced. This initial phase was a demanding test of his resilience and commitment to the sector.
Navigating the Lack of Diversity
In a professional landscape lacking diversity, Sarfraz often felt isolated. His experiences highlight the crucial need for increased representation of different ethnicities in the field. However, a turning point came when he met a Pakistani team leader during a placement in Leicester. This encounter provided him with a much-needed sense of familiarity, belonging, and support in an otherwise homogeneous environment.
Leveraging Cultural Understanding
Sarfraz’s diverse background allowed him to understand and empathise with his clients on a deeper level, particularly those from ethnic minority backgrounds. His cultural understanding and personal experiences have been instrumental in his role as a career development practitioner. They have empowered him to provide effective guidance and reassurance to those grappling with similar challenges, enhancing his impact in the sector.
The Journey of a Secret Poet
On the creative side of his life, Sarfraz’s journey into poetry was unexpected. Despite cultural stereotypes surrounding men writing poetry, he began writing in secret, spending almost a decade honing his craft before he started sharing his work. His diverse experiences and background significantly influenced his poetry, adding a unique perspective that has resonated with many readers.
Persistence in the Face of Rejection
Before his first book was published in 2020, Sarfraz faced numerous rejections. These experiences, while challenging, taught him the value of resilience and the importance of accepting criticism constructively. His journey towards becoming a published poet stands as a testament to the power of persistence in the face of adversity.
Turning Diversity into an Advantage
Sarfraz’s story encourages individuals to view their unique traits and backgrounds as strengths rather than obstacles. He advocates for the cultivation of supportive networks and communities that value diversity, reinforcing the need for inclusivity in all walks of life.
The Power of Persistence
A recurring theme in Sarfraz’s journey is the importance of persistence. Whether in his career development work or his path to becoming a published poet, resilience and determination have played pivotal roles in his success. His story serves as a potent reminder that perseverance, coupled with the courage to leverage one’s unique background, can lead to extraordinary achievements and impactful connections.
In the rich tapestry of Sarfraz’s life, we see a vibrant illustration of how diversity and resilience can be a powerful catalyst for change and growth. His journey offers valuable lessons for anyone seeking to break barriers and make a difference in their chosen field.
A sneak peak into two of Sarfraz’s poems
The Resilient Ones
We bear the brunt
We bear the pain
We get up
Only to fall down again
Through thick and thin
Through fire and ice
We sacrificed
Wounded and hurt
Through all the pain
We fall down and get up again
For we are the resilient ones
We are the brave and strong
Fought for our place in this world
Fought for a place to belongSarfraz AhmedCopyright 2023All rights reserved
I Rise Up
From the dust of history’s gaze
From the hearts of encapsulated slaves
Bound by shackles
Tied to metal and stone
That cut through skin and bone
I rise up holding onto a wing and a prayer
The tail ends of hope
A sparkle that burns through the darkness
Penetrates through the torched cries
Of the caged bird
From the gravel pits of history
From the pain I endured time after time
From the strength
I found in the hearts
In the comfort of strangers
Those that have come and gone
From the hope of another rising sun
From the kiss of the phoenix
And the belly of the dragon
Dreams that used to exist
I rise up
I stand tall
In the midst of history’s gaze
I fly like a shadow
Upon all those that did me wrong
I rise up like fire
I burn hard and I burn strong.
Sarfraz AhmedCopyright 2023
All rights reserved
Doctoring a Career 