Elena: Having women around, and especially the opportunity to have a female mentor like that as your manager is so empowering. Usually when I think about going into work, it's like thinking about being a woman in a place that's predominantly men. And then I also think about other parts of my identity and other people's identity. Elena: Is there anything you're doing to prepare yourself to possibly be one of few women or one of few people of color in your job?
Being treated like an outsider. Feeling like you have to prove yourself. Struggling to make your voice heard. Whether it’s overt discrimination or more subtle forms of bias, male-dominated industries like engineering can pose challenges for women. Research shows that even well-meaning mentors direct female engineers into less technical, less valued roles. It’s no wonder so many women end up leaving the industry.
We talk to a professor and two students at Olin College of Engineering about their experiences working among mostly men, what it means to “play nice,” and how male colleagues can help (listen!). Then we talk to an expert about how to evaluate a company’s gender culture before you accept a job and how to stay true to your career goals when other people think they know what’s best for you.
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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.