In this table talk, it has been discussed that even though there is currently the highest volume of women studying STEM programs than ever before, men are still dominating the tech fields. Women are graduating from the same fields as men, but are taking jobs in healthcare or teaching instead. Why is this happening? The first reason could be that women are encouraged to take “easier” jobs so that there is more flexibility in their schedules so that they have time to devote to raising a family. A lot of women may face pressure from their families to give up their career goals for familial life, but as we transition into a new generation of young and bright women, less women are willing to set their education and career goals aside. Yet, the tech field is still dominated by men. A lot of women experience men making comments that are condescending, whether it be intentional or not. A possible solution would be to implement stricter HR guidelines that would inform employees what is and isn’t appropriate in order to develop a welcoming environment to all genders. I feel like HR’s current guidelines are prevalent, but as the older generation retire with their stubborn mindsets, a real change will take place. More conscious people will enter the workforce and women would be encouraged to pursue careers in the tech fields.
Rose Scholars Fall 2018
Endless possibilities
I want to respectfully disagree with your stance on what can make women feel more comfortable in the workplace, as a woman who was worked in companies where I was the only female in the department and have been in tech classes that, besides myself, consisted only of men.
Implementing stricter HR regulations only goes so far in changing the culture of a company. This is the reason that change management is such a big deal, particularly in corporate environments. Sometimes women will subsist in an oppressive environment to save face, particularly if they are trying to obtain respect from their peers by not “complaining.” I would also say that a woman who approaches a situation the same way a man would, will 9 times out of 10 be judged completely differently, and more negatively, than their male counterparts.This is going to take more than a workforce transition and more regulations to change. This is a change that needs to start with our culture outside of the work environment.
While formal structure and regulations are both important elements in the corporate environment, I have to agree with Izzy on this; the culture of gender inequality supersedes the workplace and actually contributes to the kind of Good Old Boys’ Club environment found in the historically male-dominated field of STEM. Written rules and procedures are important ways to formally address the issue, of course, but a more nuanced and comprehensive cultural shift has to occur alongside these new rules and procedures in order to truly balance out the playing field for everyone.