Belonging. IT Matters. with Suhail Tariq
CDW continues its journey of belonging and working towards a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. This week, we're highlighting the unique perspectives of Suhail Tariq (he/him/his).
Describe your full, authentic self.
Hi, I'm Suhail and I'm a sales operation supervisor at CDW. I support the K-12 Texas team. They're an awesome and hardworking team. It is both a privilege and an honor to support them.
Throughout my life, I've been fighting to be an authentic individual. Growing up around the world, living in a lot of countries, I was always categorized and pigeonholed. I was told that I couldn't do X, Y, Z because I'm disabled, of South Asian descent, or I was a foreigner. It took many, many years for me to realize that I am indeed an individual and an authentic individual. Today, I'm a father of two young men. I work in a job that I love, working with people that encourage me in my role, rather than impede me. I love being able to contribute to my job and to my family.
What has to happen for you to feel that you can bring your full, authentic self to work?
I need an environment that feels safe, where there's support and respect. I want to be considered for different opportunities, where I can provide different perspectives because of my background and experiences.
We all like to be appreciated for who we are, the uniqueness that we bring, the authenticity. We're all humans, we're all different, but we're all special.
Why does belonging matter?
There was a time in the mid-seventies when I was living in the Persian Gulf area as an eight-year-old of South Asian descent, living in a country where people didn't really understand that. I felt like I didn't belong there. I didn't speak the language, I wasn't of the same ethnicity, wasn't the same religion. That really made me feel different and uncomfortable, but it also taught me a lot on the flip side. Going to an international school where everybody was from everywhere else - Westerners, South Asians, far Easterners - we were all foreigners in a foreign country. But I also felt like I didn't belong there because of my disability; kids would make fun of me and I felt out of place. The reason why belonging really, truly matters is because we all like to be appreciated for who we are, the uniqueness that we bring, the authenticity. We're all humans, we're all different, but we're all special.
What's one of CDW's values that you feel most resonates with you?
The fact that management at all levels are invested in the well-being of all associates, whether it be professional or personal.
What does life look like outside of the office for you?
Family of four and a husky. Dealing with teenagers and getting them ready for university. Adventurous and fun times!
What three words would you use to describe #LifeAtCDW?
Abundance of opportunities.
- Suhail Tariq
CDW continues its journey of belonging and working towards a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. This week, we're highlighting the unique perspectives of Suhail Tariq (he/him/his).
Describe your full, authentic self.
Hi, I'm Suhail and I'm a sales operation supervisor at CDW. I support the K-12 Texas team. They're an awesome and hardworking team. It is both a privilege and an honor to support them.
Throughout my life, I've been fighting to be an authentic individual. Growing up around the world, living in a lot of countries, I was always categorized and pigeonholed. I was told that I couldn't do X, Y, Z because I'm disabled, of South Asian descent, or I was a foreigner. It took many, many years for me to realize that I am indeed an individual and an authentic individual. Today, I'm a father of two young men. I work in a job that I love, working with people that encourage me in my role, rather than impede me. I love being able to contribute to my job and to my family.
What has to happen for you to feel that you can bring your full, authentic self to work?
I need an environment that feels safe, where there's support and respect. I want to be considered for different opportunities, where I can provide different perspectives because of my background and experiences.
We all like to be appreciated for who we are, the uniqueness that we bring, the authenticity. We're all humans, we're all different, but we're all special.
Why does belonging matter?
There was a time in the mid-seventies when I was living in the Persian Gulf area as an eight-year-old of South Asian descent, living in a country where people didn't really understand that. I felt like I didn't belong there. I didn't speak the language, I wasn't of the same ethnicity, wasn't the same religion. That really made me feel different and uncomfortable, but it also taught me a lot on the flip side. Going to an international school where everybody was from everywhere else - Westerners, South Asians, far Easterners - we were all foreigners in a foreign country. But I also felt like I didn't belong there because of my disability; kids would make fun of me and I felt out of place. The reason why belonging really, truly matters is because we all like to be appreciated for who we are, the uniqueness that we bring, the authenticity. We're all humans, we're all different, but we're all special.
What's one of CDW's values that you feel most resonates with you?
The fact that management at all levels are invested in the well-being of all associates, whether it be professional or personal.
What does life look like outside of the office for you?
Family of four and a husky. Dealing with teenagers and getting them ready for university. Adventurous and fun times!
What three words would you use to describe #LifeAtCDW?
Abundance of opportunities.
- Suhail Tariq
