Becoming a member of the Defence Sikh Network

Hello I’m Jassi and I joined the MoD in lockdown as a Defence Geographer, I spent the first six months working remotely with a limited office presence. I was unable to meet many of my colleagues and team members at the time. Although work wise, I was doing well during this time, I missed a lot of the work social elements, the environment and building connections and relationships with other people at my work.

Becoming a member of the Defence Sikh Network has been beneficial for me as it has allowed me to meet other Sikhs working in Defence across various sectors and roles. Especially since working remotely for the start of my career, this gave me the chance to reach out and connect with people in an online setting. Once restrictions had been lifted, I had the opportunities to travel and meet other members. I was also able to participate and attend different events such as memorials, luncheons and langar seva, (a form of selfless service that involves providing food for the homeless and those in need), and many more.

Being a young Sikh female and working in a predominately white male sector, it felt quite intimidating for me at first coming into the workplace and starting into a new team. However, being a member of the Defence Sikh Network, and the involvement I have had with that has helped me improve my confidence. For me this meant that I was able to find my place in my team a lot easier and settle in. Along with this, I have been able to increase the diversity and inclusion awareness and education at my place of work by putting on events and sharing images and messages on various occasions that are celebrated within Sikhism.

Having the network has been great for me as it has benefitted me in many ways, not only with my own personal development by providing me with a work social element, but it also allowed me to build better positive working relationships in my place of work and in my career.