Women in male dominated careers

At the present moment I'm training with a clock maker who has been very good to me. Even though I love this job, it doesn't pay enough to live on. Now I'm looking into other work in a related field that is male dominated. I'm very nervous about this, because I'm a lady. Knowing that I possess above average ability doesn't seem to reduce my fears and calm my anxiety.

Are there any ladies who work in non-traditional jobs? When you started did you have a hard time? Were sexist comments a problem? Any suggestions on how to cope?

My job is not non-traditional (In the terms you mean at least) nor is it male dominated (anymore) but my clientele is 98% males, if not more. Actually, I think I only have one female client who I never EVER see. When I first began visiting with some of the male clients it was very difficult to maneuver. I should also point out that a large sum of my male clients are of a specific -type- who believe women belong at home and shouldn't eat dinner in the dining room but should eat in the kitchen. So it's hard. Many of them find it hard to take my advice or even listen to me, which is THEIR loss, not mine!

I've learned to assert my dominance. All though I'm not technically supposed to make them feel intimidated by my presence, I find it helps me out in the long run. More often then not I will enter the room where my client is and they will make some sort of a off-putting comment or grunt. A low whistle, groan. Something audible enough to let me know they clearly "like what they see". I either give them the darkest look possible or shake their hand as a man would, and get right to business.

Be as confident as possible. Shut them down when needed. Many men will prey on women who lack confidence or who will not shut them down when it starts. You can handle anything!!

Oooh, the clock shop sounds really interesting!

I am not in a non-traditional job, but I work in a male dominated field in a male dominated industry. The biggest annoyance is feeling like people don't take me seriously because I am female. There are some sexist comments but they aren't a huge problem. On a day to day level, it's okay/not bothersome, but I get annoyed on a macro-level because I feel like my options are limited because of my gender.

It's really going to be environment specific, too. Some companies will welcome women in non-traditional roles and some corporate cultures will be hostile. If it doesn't work out for you at one place, you can move to another.

I generally don't take BS from anyone. In the past I was bullied (mostly by women) and never spoke up. Now I don't put up with it. What really worries me is coworkers looking at me as a sexual object. I've had guys make very inappropriate gestures at me. This really terrifies me. I know not all men are like this, but I'm still worried.

I have some experience with not being taken seriously. A few older clock makers have told me it wasn't work for a lady. Apparently a lady cannot women possess mechanical aptitude and know her way around a machine shop. I've proved them wrong.

I'm hoping my abilities will help protect me. People have noticed my work even instructors in courses I have taken.

I'm glad to hear sexist comments aren't a big problem. It gives me some hope.

Very true. I'm looking for work at places that are known for their positive workplace culture. An employment agency is assisting me.

I work in a male-dominated field. Lately what I've been dealing with is male managers telling me where and what they think I should be doing with my life.

One of the things I learned is to be firm, yet professional. One has to be tactful, polite, AND show the maturity to allow certain stupid things to roll off the back and know when BS shouldn't be tolerated.

I think it would be harder if I was a younger woman, but I'm over 30 now and have developed enough thick skin to cope with tough situations.

My husband is a career firefighter and we often discuss women in the fire service. He supports them, but I don't think they belong there because part of the job is being able to rescue a fellow firefighter from a burning building which most women can't do given that the gear and air pack weighs close to 70 lbs. I worry about my husband's safety because I know I couldn't haul him across a clean floor in broad daylight so I doubt a 120 lb women wearing 70 lbs of gear can haul a 200 lb man wearing the same gear out of a burning building. Call whatever you want, but that's how I feel.

On a lighter note, I'm an accountant and I vividly remember the head of the business school at the university I attended thinking it was horrid for women to be CPAs. I disagree as there's nothing physically demanding about the job other than long hours. Same for women being doctors, lawyers and the like.

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Originally Posted by Strive4health I work in a male-dominated field. Lately what I've been dealing with is male managers telling me where and what they think I should be doing with my life. One of the things I learned is to be firm, yet professional. One has to be tactful, polite, AND show the maturity to allow certain stupid things to roll off the back and know when BS shouldn't be tolerated. I think it would be harder if I was a younger woman, but I'm over 30 now and have developed enough thick skin to cope with tough situations.

I've been told by men what I should be doing too. I remember one telling me I should be a nurse's aide or a personal support worker. There was no way I was going to heed his advice, because I'm not made for jobs like that.

I really like what you wrote in the second paragraph. It is good advice.

I'm in my 30s as well and starting from scratch. I'm looking for work in manufacturing/machine shop. It seems to be suitable work for an autistic individual like me.

I agree with you that if a person can't fulfill the physical demands of a job, they shouldn't have it. What about a laborer job where a person has to haul 100+ lbs per day? If a person can't do it, they shouldn't have the job.

That said, I agree with you on the rest of it. A lot of jobs in male-dominated fields which don't require physical strength rely on intellect, the drive to succeed, ambition, and problem-solving. I think if a woman's able to possess those qualities she should go for it.

I'm also in my 30s and not necessarily starting from scratch, but dealing with a delay and lengthening goals more than I'd like. I'm also at the point in my life where I believe if a person has the drive to succeed and be motivated, people should get out of their way and let them work.

" I don't think they belong there because part of the job is being able to rescue a fellow firefighter from a burning building which most women can't do given that the gear and air pack weighs close to 70 lbs. I worry about my husband's safety because I know I couldn't haul him across a clean floor in broad daylight so I doubt a 120 lb women wearing 70 lbs of gear can haul a 200 lb man wearing the same gear out of a burning building. Call whatever you want, but that's how I feel."

This is why they have training and physical fitness requirements and evaluations to become a firefighter. If the female could not meet that requirement she would not become a firefighter. I don't look the weight I am. Muscle is a heavier mass. It can exert a lot of force. Don't compare a trained female to a female outside of the trade. Besides, compare the requirement to drag a fellow firefighter to the heavy patients that nurses and caregivers have to lift or move. The patients can weigh above what a healthy firefighter does and many caregivers are small. You'll be amazed what a human can do with a small stature.