We Are Expected To Know Things We Were Never Taught

When we are infants, we are surrounded by support. We celebrate every milestone. We cheer for the first steps. We guide every new skill.

But somewhere along the way, the expectation shifts.

At some point, usually around adolescence, the support changes. The world starts expecting independence without acknowledging that most of us are still learning. By the time we reach adulthood and enter the workforce, the expectation is simple. You should already know how to do this.

Negotiate your worth.
Write a compelling resume.
Present yourself with confidence.
Navigate complex power dynamics.

No instruction manual. No coach. No roadmap.

For many of us, particularly women of color, the transition into the workforce hits differently. We step into systems that were not designed with us in mind and are expected to navigate them with fluency and confidence. Throughout my own career, I learned, sometimes the hard way, that talent alone is not enough when foundational tools were never offered.

Data confirms that women of color are consistently paid less than their counterparts. Yes, there are structural barriers. But there is also an unspoken truth. We were not taught to negotiate. We were taught to be grateful. To not take up space. To prove our value long before we asked for anything in return.

Learning to advocate for myself was not instinctive. It was earned through experience, coaching, trial and error, and unlearning the belief that humility requires invisibility.

Support throughout the lifespan matters.
Not just when we are children.
Not just when we are students.
But when we are new professionals, mid-career, or stepping into executive roles.

People do not grow because a system tells them to.
People grow because someone invests in them.

We deserve support not only at the starting line, but at every chapter.

How Piñon Shows Up

At Piñon, we believe everyone deserves access to mentorship, coaching, and strategic guidance at every stage of their professional journey. We work with individuals at any entry point in their career, helping them build clarity, confidence, and a plan.

Success is not about being born knowing.
Success is about being supported while learning.

If you are navigating a transition, renegotiating your worth, or preparing for your next chapter, you do not need to do it alone.

Support is not a luxury.
It is part of how people rise.