The Brokerage The Overlooked Advantage - Flipbook - Page 13
“Having gone to a rough school in inner city London, I have a certain level of fearlessness for
the general world. It toughens you. Now the challenges I go through day to day aren’t as big of
a deal, compared to how some others might perceive them...You have higher tolerance to
things, you can better manage and appreciate stress.” - Former Brokerage Candidate
“One of the [applicants] was very honest about their background and what they have
overcome, including being excluded at 14 and going to a specialised school, yet going on to
have incredible A-levels. Some of the recruiting staff struggled with that honesty, whilst others
could see how they have overcome difficulties and deserve an opportunity. This is what set
them apart and was unique. A query from a sticky client is nothing compared to that.”
- Employer
Young people further explained that the source of their resilience is the ability to remain optimistic
about different situations, and taking ownership of reacting and responding to events to influence
the outcome:
“I always believed even if school can be bad, you can take something positive from it. You have
to be more level-headed with yourself and focus on what YOU can do, because the environment
can’t do it for you.
“When applying for work experience I was aware of the situation I was in and I knew I couldn’t
let the [negative] cycle around me continue. I needed to compensate for the environmental
pressure, and prioritise surrounding myself with people that are positive influences. That’s a
skill I learnt quite young that paid off over the years. It’s a lot of pressure because it’s down to
me. I don’t allow myself to say, ‘Oh, it’s just because I was put in the wrong team.’, when
something doesn’t go the way I want.” - Former Brokerage Candidate
Personal costs of developing strengths through disadvantage
Young people contributing to this research were invariably humble about their experiences,
pointing out the privilege they did have, be that a supportive family environment, or the fortune of
getting into a “good” school. But they also spoke honestly about the personal costs of having to
cope with the challenges brought on by their backgrounds and the bias they face as a result, and
expressed hope for change for the next generation of young people like them:
“You internalise your trauma to the point when it becomes your strength. I was given a chair
that was a bit crooked, but I didn’t want to be the person who complains, and [instead
wanted
- Former
toBrokerage
be the person
who] makes the best of opportunity. We try our hardest to just make the best
Candidate
of the situation.
“It’s akin to survivor’ guilt, because I would feel lots of regret if I was given the opportunity
from The Brokerage and I didn’t make the most of it. I want to do the best job and leave a
lasting impression. So, it’s better for the next person they hire from an underprivileged
background.” - Former Brokerage Candidate
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