Working at ISS HQ, most people know Tahmina as the living proof that ‘people make places’. She is the friendly face that greets them when they pass by the reception or meet her around the office, where she is always busy making sure that colleagues and visitors receive the support, service, and safety that they need.
But few probably know the fascinating and inspiring backstory of resilience behind her smiling face. Before joining ISS in 2019, Tahmina’s career began as a PhD in Pakistan, but took her and her family - husband and two kids - on a journey across three continents that for a long time was filled with uncertainty and instability.
“My husband and I are both from Pakistan, where I also completed my PhD in molecular biology when I was only 25 years old. After graduating, I was fortunate to work both with practical and analytical research. My first job was as a research officer at the University of Veterinary Science in Pakistan researching eye diseases through genetic DNA samples, before moving to Turkey for a one-year position as a postdoc teaching graduate students in life sciences.”
“Unfortunately, my husband was not able to work in Turkey. With two daughters and an uncertain economic situation in Pakistan, this was becoming a major issue that made me apply for the EU’s green card scheme for skilled workers. So when the Danish Embassy called to inform me that they had accepted my application, I decided to come here to continue my research career and look for new opportunities for myself and my family.”
Never knowing what the next month would bring
Arriving in Denmark in 2011, Tahmina learned the hard way that settling in a new country with her husband and kids and continuing a promising career was not easy. Especially the issue of finding a stable full-time job to meet visa requirements in a very different culture and labour market turned out to be an issue.
“My PhD from Pakistan did not translate directly to the Danish education system and standards, so I was only offered internships that did not meet the visa requirements. Instead, I went to the United States where many of my relatives had pursued a life and career outside Pakistan. After three months, I decided to return to Denmark to stay, as I felt it was a better fit for the life that I wanted for me and my family.”
The choice to settle in Denmark for good did not make the challenges from her first time go away. With no network or knowledge about the Danish labour market, continuing a career within research seemed impossible, which forced Tahmina to take various jobs in the hospitality and retail sector to meet her visa requirements:
“It was extremely stressful in several ways. I was working in positions with low job security and stability, never knowing what the next month would bring. At the same time, I felt a big obligation and responsibility towards my family, who were also depending on me to continue our new life in Denmark.”
Tahmina’s situation reached a low point when she lost her job at the end of 2019. With a pandemic on the horizon and after many years’ pressure trying to balance a chaotic work and family life in a new country, she was feeling more anxious and hopeless about her situation than ever:
“After losing my job, I was extremely concerned because I had to apply for my visa extension in six months. It was a very emotional time for me, and I recall sitting and browsing through job portals, worried about the future and how everything would turn out. It was during that time, that I found a position with ISS.”
Finding meaning and confidence again
This was a turning point for Tahmina. Slowly, but surely, the stability and positive experiences provided by the new job and colleagues, helped her recover her spirits and professional pride.
“Working at ISS, I started to be more relaxed and optimistic. For the first time in many years, I felt that I had a job that I could count on with an employer and colleagues that were interested in me and my qualifications and willing to help me grow, which is also why I ended up pursuing further opportunities internally. This led to my current role as a floor host at ISS HQ.”
“This was truly life-changing. In my previous jobs before ISS, I felt that nobody was interested in me. Everything was routine and impersonal. Now, I have started to regain my hope, and am able to see a future for not only my family, but also for my own career ambitions.”
Tahmina’s career journey is still evolving. Given her professional background, she was recently encouraged to engage in a project focused on analysing food waste reduction.
“At first, I was unsure if I should do it, wondering if I was good enough. However, strongly supported by my manager and colleagues on the project, I finally agreed and have not regretted it one bit since. It is extremely meaningful to use my education and research background, as it has also helped me regain my professional confidence and made me feel more capable and valued again.”
The importance of feeling valued
Having learned many lessons on the way towards building a safe life for her family and recovering her professional ambition, Tahmina sees a brighter future ahead of her:
“I have really learned about the importance of having a job, where you are valued and seen. When you feel safe and love to come to work, you feel good in both your private and professional life which also enables you to put in extra effort. This is why inclusion in the workplace is so important. By being curious about other people, including their mental well-being, and securing a healthy work-life balance, I believe there is hope that we can make the world a better place.”
