{"id":4100,"date":"2021-06-25T15:00:33","date_gmt":"2021-06-25T15:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oceansupercluster.ca\/?p=4100"},"modified":"2021-06-25T15:00:33","modified_gmt":"2021-06-25T15:00:33","slug":"celebrating-our-differences-using-mentorship-as-a-tool-for-growth-inclusion-equity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oceansupercluster.ca\/fr\/celebrating-our-differences-using-mentorship-as-a-tool-for-growth-inclusion-equity\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating Our Differences – Using Mentorship as a Tool for Growth, Inclusion, Equity"},"content":{"rendered":"
By: Ogaga Johnson, Technology Leadership Manager, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster\u00a0& Industry Mentor with Ocean Allies<\/em><\/p>\n

Diversity, equity, and inclusion – in any sector – are critical to ensuring we have insights and perspectives from a diverse workforce while growing the ocean economy.\u00a0Growth is limited when inclusion is absent,\u00a0and to be world-leading,\u00a0we must consider the opinions of diverse individuals.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Ocean Allies Role Model\u00a0Initiative\u00a0aims to build a roster of diverse superstars in the ocean economy. Doing this helps spotlight diverse individuals thriving in the ocean sector and creates a sense of belonging to others interested in ocean-related careers.<\/p>\n

A picture tells a thousand words when talking about having diverse industry role models. Beyond the words, webinars, or opportunities, seeing and learning from others who have succeeded helps paint a picture of what\u00a0the\u00a0future can hold\u00a0for\u00a0all those who wish to participate\u00a0in the ocean economy. Seeing people who look like \u00ab\u00a0me\u00a0\u00bb gives powerful reassurance and validity to\u00a0anyone\u00a0hoping to enter the ocean space and sends a message that you\u00a0do not\u00a0have to look a certain\u00a0way or\u00a0have a specific background to have a voice or shine in Canada’s ocean economy.<\/p>\n

Leadership in this particular area needs attention in the ocean sector.\u00a0We need a workforce\u00a0that enables diverse\u00a0populations\u00a0and the ability\u00a0to\u00a0advance in\u00a0positions of leadership and influence.\u00a0As a young, professional woman from the black community, I can attest to this. We need to see more\u00a0people like us\u00a0in leadership and influential positions to know that we are truly\u00a0welcomed, valued,\u00a0have\u00a0the opportunity to\u00a0grow, and\u00a0that\u00a0our voice\u00a0can\u00a0be heard.\u00a0As an Ocean Allies Role Model, I hope I can give this\u00a0type of\u00a0affirmation\u00a0to other young people in the ocean space.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s wonderful to see work\u00a0continuing in this area.\u00a0To industry, keep shining the spotlight and telling stories of diverse individuals who have excelled in the ocean sector. By providing such visibility, you are helping diverse superstars shine their light even brighter,\u00a0helping others\u00a0know\u00a0it is\u00a0possible\u00a0to\u00a0shine their lights as well.\u00a0Diverse employees\u00a0bring a unique perspective and\u00a0can make\u00a0a\u00a0powerful contribution to the workforce.\u00a0Whether it be race, culture, age, or gender,\u00a0we all\u00a0bring special value\u00a0and insight\u00a0to the ocean sector.<\/p>\n

To\u00a0my\u00a0fellow diverse professionals considering participating in ocean\u00a0–\u00a0jump on board! Your dreams are valid,\u00a0and you can achieve\u00a0them.\u00a0Your diverse background is not a weakness\u00a0but instead a strength that you should be proud of.\u00a0Build\u00a0your\u00a0capacity, get the knowledge needed to excel, network, and put yourself forward for opportunities. Do\u00a0not\u00a0be intimidated,\u00a0and always\u00a0use your difference as an advantage to shine.\u00a0Remember, you have so much value to contribute\u00a0to this sector – and it\u2019s needed.<\/p>\n

Will there be\u00a0setbacks? Maybe.\u00a0But\u00a0one thing you should never do is\u00a0quit\u00a0or stop trying.\u00a0Find ways to encourage yourself.\u00a0For me, I always encourage myself through bible affirmations.\u00a0Always keep moving and making progress!<\/p>\n

So far, I have enjoyed my short time\u00a0in the\u00a0ocean sector.\u00a0I have been given\u00a0several\u00a0amazing opportunities by my organization,\u00a0including this guest feature, and\u00a0being featured as a\u00a0role model\u00a0with Ocean Allies.\u00a0It is\u00a0a great honor, privilege\u00a0and\u00a0very humbling. I see the effort\u00a0made the Ocean Supercluster and ocean sector\u00a0as a whole\u00a0–\u00a0and I celebrate it. I want to thank all the organizations, individuals and leaders in ocean that are tirelessly working to ensure a more diverse and inclusive sector.<\/p>\n

There\u00a0will\u00a0always room for improvement,\u00a0but\u00a0please don’t get tired,\u00a0as\u00a0together we can grow the ocean economy to be a sector that is\u00a0equitable,\u00a0diverse and inclusive.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Ogaga Johnson, Technology Leadership Manager, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster & Industry Role Model, Ocean Allies<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By: Ogaga Johnson, Technology Leadership Manager, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster\u00a0& Industry Mentor with Ocean Allies Diversity, equity, and inclusion – in any sector – are critical to ensuring we have insights […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4100","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog-post"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/oceansupercluster.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4100","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/oceansupercluster.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/oceansupercluster.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oceansupercluster.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oceansupercluster.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4100"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/oceansupercluster.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4100\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/oceansupercluster.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4100"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oceansupercluster.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4100"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oceansupercluster.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4100"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}