What biases have you encountered in your profession?

Biases I have encountered being a female mechanic include people assuming I don't know as much as the men in the field, and would prefer I don't work on their vehicles. It doesn't happen often but it does happen. 

What is the most rewarding thing about succeeding in a male-dominated field?

The most rewarding thing about succeeding in a male dominated field is knowing that I am succeeding in the career I chose to follow. The guys that I work with in my shop don't second guess me, and encourage me to do better. 

What in your opinion would help #BreakTheBias for women entering your profession?

I think giving everyone a chance to learn and show they can do the job is a good way to help #breakthebias for woman entering my profession. Don't second guess someone because of their gender. 

What biases have you encountered in your profession?

There’s often an assumption that I’m more junior than I am, including individuals at mediations or external meetings assuming I am an assistant as opposed to a lawyer. I’ve also had to deal with countless incidents of opposing counsel speaking over me or trying to use bullying tactics to push their agenda.

What is the most rewarding thing about succeeding in a male-dominated field?

Mentoring the next generation of female lawyers.

What in your opinion would help #BreakTheBias for women entering your profession?

In legal practice, it’s less about women entering the profession than it is about women remaining in practice. While law school enrolment is at least half female, the profession has a long way to go in keeping women in practice. A systemic culture change is needed, including adapting existing firm cultures to be more inclusive, accommodating responsibilities and commitments outside the office, and ensuring strong mentorship for new female lawyers.

What biases have you encountered in your profession?

The greatest bias that I face is that people assume that I am not qualified to do my job. There is still a great number of people who believe that engineering is a man's job and although I have earned my place at my institution and at my internships, I still face people that doubt my ability to perform engineering tasks.

What is the most rewarding thing about succeeding in a male-dominated field?

For me the most rewarding thing about being a woman in engineering is knowing that young girls now have one more person showing them they can instead of another person telling them they can't.

What in your opinion would help #BreakTheBias for women entering your profession?

I believe that one of the best ways to help #BreakTheBias for women in engineering is encouraging more women to join the profession. This has been a focus for years and I am already starting to see improvements. I was very pleased that in my internships, I have had some outstanding female mentors and coworkers. However, there is still a great deal of work to be done moving forward. By having more women in engineering we show that engineering is not a man's job and we can #BreakTheBias together.

What biases have you encountered in your profession?

The chef world is a male dominated world. Where women in the kitchen are usually moved to the pastry world as perhaps it may be more “suitable”. You have to “ act like one of the guys” to fit in but I’m so happy to say there’s been a huge shift with women lead chefs today. I’ve found the women I am leading in the kitchen are a different breed. We encourage, we teach, guide and lift each other up. This seems to be the way the new female (shef) chef is moving towards. 

What is the most rewarding thing about succeeding in a male-dominated field?

For me it was that I was finally seen. My ideas were just as good as male cooks/chefs and others were taking notice that I can keep up and at time move past the time of the typical male chef. I was ready to prove to the world I was meant to be here. This is a second career for me starting at 30 (42 now). I had something to prove. And I have, because I’m one of the only females running her own restaurant from my graduating class. 

What in your opinion would help #BreakTheBias for women entering your profession?

I think seeing more women in leadership roles in the culinary industry is key. Women chefs are demanding equal pay, respect and a voice in our kitchens. We’re also teaching the younger generation their self worth and to speak up, work hard and prove you have the chops.

What biases have you encountered in your profession?

As a woman in a predominately male industry, the one bias commonly encountered is gender bias. This bias, which stems solely from gender identification, often portrays women as too weak or too fragile to “get the job done.” The incorrect notion that women belong in high heels instead of construction boots, perpetuated the culture that continues to see very few women in the industry today.   

What is the most rewarding thing about succeeding in a male-dominated field? 

The most rewarding part of succeeding in a male-dominated field is the feeling of self-actualization when producing a body of work that exceeds the standards set by the industry. Who said women can’t be exceptional welders, plumbers, electricians, project managers or engineers? Holistically, setting an example for other women around me in typically male roles to exceed not only societal expectations but more importantly their own, is deeply rewarding. Seeing success through your eyes and not through the eyes of others is the greatest reward.

What in your opinion would help #BreakTheBias for women entering your profession?

I always did something that I was not ready to do, something outside of my comfort zone. I think that’s how you grow. When there is that moment of “Wow, I’m not really sure I can do this”, it is by pushing on anyways that you experience a break through. Regardless of your profession, you should feel empowered to be heard, fill spaces, and tackle problems that are uncomfortable. That is when, as a woman, you stand tall, strong and fearless.

What biases have you encountered in your profession?

The biggest bias I have encountered is fear!! The perceptual bias that “There is a woman on site” becomes fear of offending me so people don’t curse, think I can’t handle a joke, or they should be nervous about the content of the conversation. I’m treated like a “lady” instead of a “person”. I know that they are being kind but once they realize I don’t care what they say, and that I CAN keep up…..it’s as though I am more welcomed and accepted. I almost overcompensate on language at times to be accepted faster (which I’m comfortable with).  

I don't experience bias often. We have come a long way, but there's still more growth to be had.

What is the most rewarding thing about succeeding in a male-dominated field? 

The biggest reward for me succeeding in a male-dominated field is customer referrals. The competitors I know are men. My site supers and PM’s are almost all men and they have come to trust my technical knowledge and exceptional customer relationship skills; whether it’s a construction product, or a 3M product in general. When customers refer me to their professional colleagues/acquaintances it confirms that they value what I offer and trust me despite my being a woman or new to construction. They don’t care I’m a woman………they KNOW I get the job done, and FAST!

What in your opinion would help #BreakTheBias for women entering your profession?

Thankfully many women paved the way for me to even step foot on site. I believe that education and diversity training for all companies is important.

What biases have you encountered in your profession?

I am the owner and operator of a painting company, Pure Prism Painting Company. I have encountered many biases in my field which for a long time has always been male dominated. Many men feel it's not women's work and we do not have the strength and endurance to be working in this field. People are generally surprised at me doing my own high ladder work, 30 feet up in the air is very comfortable for me. I have had men dismiss my company as something I do for fun even though I may do the same volume of work as the male counterpart in my industry.

What is the most rewarding thing about succeeding in a male-dominated field?

I find everything rewarding in my line of work as I love painting. It is very rewarding to surprise people with my abilities who do not expect this coming from a woman. I am proud to show other young women that you really can be anything you want to be and there are no limitations that you can't overcome. It is extremely rewarding to know that you can follow your passion regardless of your gender.

What in your opinion would help #BreakTheBias for women entering your profession?

Take a chance on your dream and the rest will fall into place. Taking the first step into any field is scary but once you take a chance you can change people's perspectives and break any rules. Rules are meant to be broken and boundaries are meant to be stretched. If you want to be a painter, just go for it and never look back. Each day try to be the best version of yourself and produce work you are proud of. With that attitude you will break every bias and overcome all obstacles.