What holds women back the most in a workplace? Preferably women majoring in STEM.
Recently received my Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. I will be attending graduate school in the fall to receive my Master's of Science degree. In the near future I plan on teaching at a university level. #women-in-stem #women #women-in-tech
8 answers
JW’s Answer
Be confident and fearless. I've worked in male-dominated fields all my professional life, and one thing that has been helpful for me from early on is I've never seen myself as an outsider. Once people around you see that you are comfortable among them, they will be comfortable around you as well (even if they are not at the beginning).
Grace’s Answer
1) Find a strong ally or mentor(s). This applies to everyone, not just women. Building relationships with people who believe in you (and continuing to build evidence of strong work product) is probably the single most important thing you can do early in your career.
2) Find a workplace that values diversity. Talk to women who work there to see what supports there are for diversity and inclusion. Look at the leadership level to see if women are represented at the highest levels.
3) Join employee resource groups that support women. You'll find allies in these groups and be able to talk through any common themes that are coming up in your workplace community.
Wish you all the very best!
Kushalappa’s Answer
When thinking about barriers to female leadership, my mind is immediately flooded by the usual suspects: the patriarchal “boys club,” advancement discrimination, compensation inequality, and striking a successful work-life balance. These barriers are very real and thankfully, strong female executives are chipping away at them each year. I like to think we’re paving the way for the bright minds climbing today’s corporate ranks who will hopefully face fewer of these injustices over time. Which led me to wonder, beyond external barriers, what continues to hold women back? Honestly, it’s ourselves. Women can be our own worst enemy — but it’s a behavior that’s completely preventable.
Use yourself as an example. The last time you had a professional opportunity arise, was your first instinct to immediately jump in and say “Heck yes, sign me up!”, or did you take a long pause to consider how it would impact your family and personal obligations? Be honest now. Too often, women’s bold career aspirations fall victim to nurturing instincts. While men seize these career-boosting turns with gusto, women often talk themselves out of them, labelling them as “too risky or burdensome” to the family: Who will pick-up the kids? Feed the family? Clean the house? Instead of speaking with their partners about how a great opportunity can be effectively managed for everyone, we martyr ourselves in silence.
Sarah’s Answer
Nothing that cannot be challenged and changed. From personal experience, I have found that diversity in STEM is hugely positive for companies because it gives a breadth of skills.
At my company we have a Women's Leadership Forum to encourage and develop female leaders and as part of that we have Lean In Circles (based on the idea in Sheryl Sandburg's inspirational book Lean In). Circles are "small groups who meet regularly to learn and grow together, and they're changing lives. Women are asking for more, stepping outside their comfort zones, and leaning in." and there are circles all over the world - why not join or start one near you to get support from other women in similar circumstances? Find out more at http://leanin.org/
Daicys’s Answer
Don't be afraid to ask questions. Usually you can be misinterpreted as being too self involved if you don't speak to your co-workers and as a plus you get to learn something new from everyone you talk to.
Alison’s Answer
My advice for dealing with this would be:
- Find a community of people who you trust. Many of my closest friends throughout college and the workplace have been other women in STEM. It's extremely helpful to have people you can talk to when you experience a frustrating moment of pushback - people who will get it and understand how you feel without having to spend as much emotional labor to convey your thoughts.
- When you have the emotional/mental energy for it, also open up to allies. I've learned over the years that even if someone isn't a woman in tech themselves, they can still be supportive - for example, helping to call out microaggressions themselves instead of the burden falling on those who are underrepresented every time.
- Remember that the things that make you unique (the way you think or problem solve) are the most important things you can bring to the table. If you ever feel pressure to be like everyone else or fit in, remember that being different can mean you'll spot unique problems or propose unique solutions, and that in of itself brings value to your team.
Wael’s Answer
I say you won't have any problems. Diversity is needed in all work places and there is a lack of women graduating from STEM colleges. Do it.
thank you very much
Divya
Thank you very much
devi
You are welcome.
Wael Al-Rihawi
I appreciate that this answer is encouraging, but it's also inaccurate; there have been lots of books (e.g. https://www.amazon.com/What-Works-Women-Work-Patterns-ebook/dp/B00GXA1QN6) and research (e.g. https://arxiv.org/pdf/2203.10555.pdf) about challenges women have faced and continue to face in the workplace.
Emerson Murphy-Hill
