How To Get Your Foot In The Door: 4 Male Dominated Careers

The case for gender equality is overwhelming – and not just in a moral sense. Of course it’s right that we set aside ancient and long-outdated views of the ‘roles’ of the two sexes inside and outside work and that alone might be a compelling enough case for change. But, consider too that there is a very strong economic case for making the most of the working talents of women. A recent report from McKinsey reckoned that the global economy would benefit to the tune of $12 trillion by 2025 from improvements on gender equality in the workplace. That’s surely big enough in anyone’s book to prove the need for change.

Society is slow to change and it might take a generation or two to finally smash the glass ceiling. Women setting on off their working career at the moment should feel heartened by the fact that the morals and the money are in their favor. In many ways there’s no point sitting back and waiting. Change can and will happen if women go out and break down the barriers. It’s time for the most male dominated industries to be shaken up. Women need to set aside any career advice that even mentioned their gender – it’s time to think about talent alone.

Here’s four of the worst offenders:

Engineering

Traditionally it has been a case of ‘if it’s industrial, it’s for the men’ but that’s the kind of thinking that needs to be consigned to the trash can. Breaking through into these sorts of industries will be crucial in terms of tipping the balance. Such a field is a huge umbrella term too that can pull in experts from all sorts of fields. From technical surveying with Landpoint to preparing industrial surfaces with an Airblast AFC blast room this covers a massive range of workplaces and skills, with lots of avenues for women to follow. Women should pick a path that suits their skills and head to university, where their qualification should earn them a foot in the door.

Construction

Building sites no longer need to be the preserve of macho gangs of men. Jobs range from project managers to architects, surveyors, carpenters, welders and laborers. With pretty much every country on the planet needing to build new housing and infrastructure, ignoring half the potential workforce is unproductive. Female specialists in all of the above categories need to come to the fore. As in engineering, women should look to get the qualifications that put them on a par with their male counterparts when it comes to the most skilled end of the construction sector. Otherwise it’s a case of searching out and applying for jobs to prove your worth. You might need a thick skin at the start but once you’ve shown you’re as good as the men you’ll be accepted.

Utilities

The term ‘handyman’ instantly conjures up an image of a man. This needn’t be the case. Many women have the practical skills needed to be plumbers and electricians and this is exactly the sort of field where gender association needs to end. Apprenticeship schemes are a great way to ‘learn on the job’. When someone needs a plumber they want an expert and if you fix their pipes they’ll be delighted, regardless of your gender. 

Sports media

Let’s be frank, too many sports broadcasters have used women as attractive window dressing. Yet as female sports grow in popularity – such as the recent SheBelieves Cup for example – people are finally respecting female athletes in their own right. It’s time for women to capitalize on this with frontline roles as sports pundits and reporters. Young women should keep a blog/website to show their knowledge and passion for their sport and offer to do work experience in sports media organizations to get their foot in the door. Maybe pick a niche sport, team or tournament that you can follow, become an expert in and eventually sell your content on.

Tags: male dominated careers

Category: College and Careers