Career growth, for some, seems like a linear path. You start with an entry role and work your way up. For others, however, career growth means seeking roles that literally take you to new places. Madeleine, a Procorian who began her career with us in London, has been able to live out her desire to immerse herself in a different culture from what she grew up in by taking on a role with our team in Dubai.
“Living abroad has always been something I wanted to do. In fact, I expressed this during my interview with Procore back in 2021. I wanted to leave the UK and experience a different culture and become a more layered person with diverse experiences.”
Madeleine, a campaign manager for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, had her desire to live abroad fulfilled when she was asked to relocate from London, UK, to Dubai, UAE, in 2022 after serving the region remotely for over a year.
“Business operates on building good relationships. I knew I needed to understand the region and culture better. I wanted to have regular exposure and interaction with our customers as well as other external stakeholders. When I was asked if I would consider relocating to our new Dubai office, I immediately said yes.”
Creating Inclusion and Belonging In a New Country
Joining the Dubai team has been a welcoming experience. “There are 13 different nationalities in our MENA office right now. I think that helps to support openness between us all. Everyone is willing to join in and learn about another’s culture. I wanted to celebrate the coronation of King Charles, so I decorated the office and brought in tea, scones and jam. The team enjoyed trying my English treats and asked me questions about the whole celebration. We really find pleasure in celebrating what matters to each other.”
Outside of the office, Madeleine shared that living in Dubai has been just as welcoming. “There is a huge amount of freedom and opportunity living in Dubai. It’s a place that welcomes all types of people and nationalities and promotes hard work. If you come here and you work hard, you can climb the ranks and be rewarded. You get exposed to a level of luxury you might not get elsewhere. This region is developing fast and really opening itself up to the world.”
Say Yes to New Opportunities and People
If Madeleine were to give any advice, she said that “whilst finding yourself in a new country can be daunting, don’t be afraid to dive straight in. Have a policy of saying ‘yes’ to meeting new people and getting to know the area. You’ll soon find your place and people!”
Madeleine’s story reminds us that career growth isn’t always about moving up the ladder. Sometimes the path to becoming a more diverse and culturally enriched individual begins with a simple ‘yes’– the willingness to open ourselves to new experiences, new people and new places. We are so lucky that Madeleine said “yes” to Procore!
Like this story? Check out Pierce’s adventures travelling from New Orleans to Sydney for a three-month assignment.
- culture & belonging
- Dubai
- Global Mobility
- Marketing
- MENA
