career

[kasia]

have you ever hesitated taking a certain career path b/c you felt you wouldn't really succeed in it as a female?

e.g., none of us really strive to be president.

[thaite]

Well, I'm foreign-born, so that whole "Don't ya wanna grow up to be President, buoywonder?" thing was never an incentive for me.

[kimpossible]

I've turned down opportunities because of family/marriage. In some respects it's a bit disappointing, but I don't really go out of my way to be superwoman. These days I'm trying to refine my goals, decide what I want to accomplish 10 years from now. Finish one thing really well before I start another.

I don't think I've ever been afraid to do something because of my gender. There are times where I know that I am limited by others in what I will or will not be considered a candidate for but I don't have that personal fear of failure.

[kasia]

Originally posted by Hello_Hapa@Aug 28 2002, 10:21 PM
I don't think I've ever been afraid to do something because of my gender. There are times where I know that I am limited by others in what I will or will not be considered a candidate for but I don't have that personal fear of failure.
right--i was asking more about what we perceive we may not be able to achieve as a result of gender bias...and not our own lack of ability.

what sorts of jobs were they that you felt you would not have been considered a candidate as a result of you being female?

[kimpossible]

My current one. It's commercial construction. I know I can do the job. My boss knows I can do the job. However, I won't get it. Our target market is 50s, white/gray haired male, business owner. My boss will want someone that can match that category. When I think on it though (and your clarification) I think it has to do with the company size, who we serve and the industry itself.

Plus, and I don't know if this of interest at all, I'd have to think about taking over a high position at larger company down the road because the time for breeding is nigh. I'd feel responsible for our kids' early upbringing and try to be a stay at home mom as much as possible. This is based on my gender also. There is a fear that I would be neglecting a 'female responsibility' if I chose work over kids. I feel badly about having that perspective, but it is how I feel.

Home based businesses are looking better all the time.

[kasia]

so commercial construction is may be a field in which women are discriminated...

i think this is all helpful information.

re: kids, i feel the same way. i'm 23, but i don't think it's too early to plan. once i do have kids, probably until they are ready for grade school, i plan on either staying home or working as a public interest lawyer--where the hours tend to be strictly 9-5.

[CrX3183]

Originally posted by kasia@Aug 28 2002, 09:07 PM
have you ever hesitated taking a certain career path b/c you felt you wouldn't really succeed in it as a female?

e.g., none of us really strive to be president.
well if i go by your words i wouldn't have anything to worry about, but i'm still not sure what i want to do for a career... :(

[amietron]

My mom does hair. She used to work at Yosh for Hair in Union Square (SF) but after I was born, she went to another salon that was closer. Until I was 2 or 3, she worked with Kozo, but after that, she's always done clients' hair from home.

[mrazntre]

or working as a public interest lawyer--where the hours tend to be strictly 9-5.

which also kinda results in shit pay.

[kasia]

Originally posted by mrazntre@Sep 1 2002, 08:58 PM
or working as a public interest lawyer--where the hours tend to be strictly 9-5.

which also kinda results in shit pay.
not necessarily. not great--but shit pay for attorneys may be great pay for people in other fields.

[SunWuKong]

Originally posted by mrazntre@Sep 1 2002, 03:58 PM
or working as a public interest lawyer--where the hours tend to be strictly 9-5.

which also kinda results in shit pay.
but very honorable, in my opinion.