Pictured: Boji, a nonbinary Ukrainian graphic designer.
For Boji (they/them), a nonbinary graphic designer from Ukraine, 2022 began with an important career step. They had just relocated to Berlin for their job, leaving behind Kyiv. However, while their career success should have been a cause for celebration, it was clouded by a dramatic turn for the worse, for both their life and their country.
On February 24th, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine thrust their country into chaos, leaving Boji and many Ukrainians abroad facing an uncertain future and unable to return to their homes.
At first, Boji struggled to adjust to life in Germany. However, as they began to settle into their new life, differences faded, and Boji found themselves growing fond of their new home.
“In terms of homophobia, [Germany is] better [than Ukraine]. I got engaged to my partner,” they shared. With many Ukrainians arriving in Berlin, Boji reunited with many friends and accessed helpful resources available for Ukrainian refugees.
Eager to further their career, Boji began looking for a new job opportunity. However, their search dragged on for months with little progress. “I was expressing my frustration with looking for another job... I applied for 130 jobs. I also got plenty of interviews. I got to the final stages in some companies, [but] was rejected,” they shared.
Boji learned about ORAM’s Economic Empowerment Program, connecting LBTIQ (lesbian, bisexual women, trans, and non-binary) people from Ukraine with job development opportunities through Oliver Dougherty, ORAM’s Ukraine Project Officer. While the job search was slow, Boji commented on how quickly the program moved.
“Working with ORAM was quite smooth. It was one week or even less when I connected with my mentor, and we scheduled a meeting,” they said.
Boji was soon paired with a mentor through ORAM’s partner, Tent, an organization that works with companies to connect refugees with jobs. Their mentor, Josef Weber, a seasoned German professional whose current role is Principal at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), proved to be an excellent resource. “He told me not to be afraid to share more about myself,” Boji said. “I had been holding back, thinking that my involvement in the queer art scene would turn off employers. Josef, who leads BCG's Pride employee resource group, is proud to work for a company that pledged to support 50 mentees through Tent over three years.
“He helped me with the structure of the pitch, the beginning, middle, and end. My pitch was all over the place, and he gave me an understanding of how to elevate my presentation,” Boji explained. “Overall, it was very useful.”
Just weeks after joining ORAM’s Economic Empowerment Program and only two mentorship sessions, Boji received a job offer as a graphic designer at a new company. “It’s similar to the job [before] but better. It meets my career goals a bit more,” they shared. “It’s been going good.”
Boji knows they are one of the lucky ones to find an English-speaking remote job, where there is competition. “Keep up with the trends and best practices” is Boji’s advice to other LGBTIQ refugees in Germany looking for employment.
Congratulations, Boji, on your new job!
If you are an LBTIQ refugee from Ukraine looking for job development opportunities in Germany, click here.
Donate today to support ORAM’s Economic Empowerment Program and change the lives of LBTIQ refugees from Ukraine like Boji.
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