Finding a career, acceptance and happiness
Maria’s Story
In 2019, Maria packed her bags and left Brazil to see the world. 6 years later, she’s found herself feeling more grateful than ever of everything she has achieved and the life she has created in the UK… but it’s not without challenges.
After exploring Italy and spending some time living in London, in 2021 Maria and her partner decided it was time for a change. They opened a map of the UK and, after visiting a few locations which caught their eye, it was Bournemouth beach on a sunny day in May that stole their hearts.
Having made the move to the South Coast, Maria began a design course but felt like she was operating on autopilot ‘I wanted more purpose, so it was time to look for a job’.
This came with more than the usual recruitment challenges though. ‘I’d spent the years since leaving Brazil developing and improving my English but I found it difficult applying for professional roles. When I found the advert for the role at Mar-Key Group I was so nervous because I really wanted the job. I did a lot of preparation, rehearsing answers to all the typical recruitment questions, but when it came to it my interview was actually pretty informal and I left there thinking it went very well.’ Within a few hours, Maria was offered the job of CAD Technician.
I know what I am doing matters, it makes me feel so alive
Having joined us in 2023, Maria continues to be a core member of our Design team who is relied upon by many in the business. She works on both Events and Structure Solutions projects, bringing ideas and concepts to life to demonstrate capability and vision to our clients. Seeing her designs being constructed is the icing on the cake. ‘I remember my first visit to Ascot Racecourse… I’ll never forget it! I still to this day have my access pass and I show all my friends. To see something that you have drawn and designed standing in real life was incredible. I love when people compliment my work and I know what I am doing matters, it makes me feel so alive.’ Speaking to Maria’s colleagues, they describe how ‘Maria’s friendly, positive attitude makes her a pleasure to work with. She creates beautiful visuals for our clients and despite her busy work load she’ll always do her best to deliver time and time again. She is an asset and a wonderful part of the team.’
When chatting to Maria, her pride and passion for her work is clearly visible. She beams as she speaks about the projects she’s been involved in including Nottingham Forest Gym and The Centenary at Wimbledon, but there’s another side to Maria. One where she doubts her ability to fit in and this is something she feels is important to talk about.
‘Aside from missing my friends and family, the hardest thing as an immigrant woman was the language barrier. I never felt good enough because my English wasn’t good enough. I had to attend classes twice a week in London. It was difficult but although we were all from different countries, we felt connected in some way. My partner and I speak in Portuguese at home but we watch British TV shows with the subtitles on, and when I’m feeling brave I turn the subtitles off! Even now after living here for many years, every day I’m learning something new.’
Maria’s warm smile and willingness to help would have you assume making friends is easy, but the cultural differences have also been challenging. ‘It’s hard because I often feel like I can’t culturally relate to people. I feel like I’ll never be good enough because I’m not British and it’s sometimes lonely. Like everyone, I have tough days but it’s important to stay positive and connecting with other people who understand this feeling helps.’
Living day to day, it’s easy to forget what your dreams are.
These challenges are things that Maria works hard to deal with. Almost as the price she pays to be building the life she wants. ‘Living day to day, it’s easy to forget what your dreams are. At one time having a house and a car was never even a dream because it felt so unreachable, but now I have both and my life in the UK. I catch myself looking at the walls in my house feeling so grateful of my accomplishments, I’m so proud of myself’.
Another benefit Maria has found to living in the UK is the welcoming LGBTQIA+ community. ‘I feel like I can finally be myself in my relationship. In Brazil, I was afraid for my own life, I was once with a partner when a group of boys tried to split us up, shouting horrible names at us, I don’t get that here. We can hold hands and nobody would even look at us, I always feel so free!’
Maria’s story of overcoming challenges inspires us all to realise that you are just one decision away from achieving your dreams. In the worst case scenario, it doesn’t work out. In the best case, just like Maria has proven, the risk and challenges you face are far outweighed by the reward of achieving the life that you want.