Tessa Fletcher, a blogger for Weld My World, attacked a subject that isn’t necessarily written about a lot: how women can most effectively work and thrive in an environment populated mostly by men. While she comes at it from the welder’s perspective, we at The SmartVan think the advice provided would work for any industry where women are a distinct minority. As gender roles change and are redefined, more women are assuming roles traditionally filled by men, including field service. And for women working in the field — where collaboration is key — it pays to understand what it takes to work in what is often a male-dominated environment.
Here are some tips for how a woman who works mostly with men should handle herself.
- Carry yourself with confidence.
- While flagrant examples of sexual harassment are rare, some people who aren’t used to working with women may be judgmental, or skeptical that a woman can handle a supposed “man’s job.” The only way to prove yourself is to work as hard as you can at all times.
- Don’t gossip, or hang out with large groups of women at work.
- Focus on maintaining good posture and body language, since someone will always be watching.
- Trying to fit in with knowledge of traditionally masculine topics such as sports might help, as well as using the same abbreviations or lingo they do. There’s nothing wrong with putting in a little extra effort to fit in.
- Don’t dress provocatively.
- At the same time, you don’t need to look or dress like a man either. Fletcher advises, “There is room to play. Go ahead, get the pink welding helmet!”
- If someone does harass you, call the person out strongly and decisively. Always report serious infringements on your personal rights.
- Don’t flirt.
- Perform your job consistently well, and rewards will come. With employers in male-dominated workplaces looking for diversity, representing women well will reward both you and women everywhere.
I’m a female truck driver for soon to be 15 years. Since day one, I’ve always practiced all of your steps except step 5. I found of the many insignificant test you’ll have to prove you can pass daily and repetitively, being a college grad, to opt out of graciously their personal style, aptitude and comprehension testing works for me best. So much is insinuated and expected esp if it’s a group that the intimidation to fail r pass is not worth it in that it takes my utter delight in my job in a direction I do not see necessary to go. I do not, not speak out of ignorance or shyness. But just that the attitude that you will never know more than the man exist esp. of those confused by your presence. If you do happen to know something, I think you should remember, it’s as if the discrepancy has to exist, the conversation can quickly become the female tone you perhaps spoke in, your height, father, million mile jacket, etc.etc. It has not ended that way 100% of the time, although nearly. Just saying, though the topic may be off the record and leisurely, the end result can be job defining if you show someone up or if you don’t know. I haven’t run across even the possibility of number 3 happening on the job or at home. Women very often tend to be less supportive than men.