from surviving to thriving: strategies for women in male dominated professions - part 1

Working in a male-dominated profession comes with a unique set of pressures that can be overwhelming. Many men* do not experience the unconscious bias and institutional barriers that women do in the workplace. 

But success can be within reach, because there is power in making the unseen seen. The challenges we face are not mysteries. Learning about them empowers you to position yourself to thrive and lead in the workplace and position that fulfills you.

In this 2-part series, I'll share a combination of advice and ideas to help you make a plan - to help you design your future.

Please read my note below, and then click Read More or scroll for the full part 1 post.

*Note:
Intersectionality in the workplace is an important topic. I've added this note to my phrase "many men", because many people in the workforce experience the challenges of intersectionality at work, rather than being embraced for the perspective and experience they bring.

While this post, and the upcoming part 2, are written from my perspective as a woman in a STEM field, it's important to be aware of the similarities and differences people of other gender identities may experience in the workplace. Those who present as a woman (but may not identify as such), or who present as nonbinary, will face similar challenges that affect all non-white men; but they will experience challenges unique to their identities (and personal experiences) as well. 

This discussion is one that affects all of us, as someone experiencing challenges or as someone who may become an ally. I want you as the reader to know that you are seen and your lived experience matters.

"Intersectionality goes beyond acknowledging a single facet of an individuals' identity, recognizing instead the intricate tapestry of various dimensions, such as race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, class, and disability. In doing so, it sheds light on the unique experiences and challenges faced by individuals with multiple intersecting identities. Embracing intersectionality is paramount in fostering a workplace environment where all employees feel included, supported, and empowered."
​
​- Writer Stephanie Preistley, discussing the term coined by Kimberle Crenshaw in the late 1980s in Priestley's post on intersectionality and psychologically safe workplaces.

​Intersecting minority identities magnifies both bias and micro-inequities, writes Kristen Walsh about the research report on intersectionality in the workplace published by Bentley University in 2019.

For example, women of color may feel like "double outsiders" - neither men nor white. The need to "code switch" - to "adjust their authentic communication styles and behaviors" - to fit in at work stifles their confidence and effectiveness at work. 

Check out the video below on the cost of code switching by Chandra Arthur.

Male-dominated fields include STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), construction and skilled trades**, finance and investment banking, manufacturing and heavy industry**, military and law enforcement**, aviation, sports management, architecture, mining and agriculture**, and transportation and logistics**.

The ** double-starred fields above include a large number of positions. I wanted to provide more examples of specific job titles that would be in those fields. Most of them involve physical work or machine operation, and sometimes hazardous conditions. Many are male-dominated due to the history of women in the workforce, while others remain male-dominated due to a belief that women cannot do the physical work.

These jobs include construction labor, manual and skilled trades like electricians and welding, manufacturing and assembly line work, warehouse and logistics including forklift operators and inventory managers, truck driving and delivery services, landscaping and groundskeeping, waste management, mining and quarrying, fishing and agriculture, security, maintenance, particularly in large commercial settings - all tend to be male-dominated positions. ​

Photo by Mark König on Unsplash

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