Absolutely! These barriers exist because of the patriarchy!! these barriers exist due to systemic bias that continually move men ahead in the workplace instead of qualified women.
Listening to this Bonnie I have so many thoughts and ideas, but of course. As a young, bright eyed business student full of possibilities. I just thought if I got good grades and graduated with honors that would set me up enough to have a good career. I had no idea to even ask any of these questions or to find a good mentor to help me figure out what questions to ask. And I love how many actionable steps you give women… And I don’t know if this is in your wheelhouse, but I would love to see a post or two that we could send to young women entering into their college years so that they can set themselves up for success even earlier than the first years of their career. Maybe you already have something on the books for that but just was thinking That would’ve helped me tremendously back in the 90s. I think I was going with the flow and just expecting that I was doing the right steps to get where I needed to go. I didn’t also have enough exposure in those early years to all of the different types of career path I could’ve taken and what those might’ve looked like. Again I know that that’s more of a systemic issue than something you can write about but just thoughts.
Also, when I still get you on the interview schedule for the summer.
I was just going with the flow through college and even grad school. I hear you! I was pre-med for three years but ended up a sociology major with no direction except a doctorate and college professor? But life circumstances led me to a business career. It would be interesting to find out how many young women in college have a clear career ambition or are more like you and I, who find a direction later.
Yes I am wondering that too. I know life as a woman in patriarchy is always throwing us curve balls — so hard to plan anything. Especially if we “happen” to find anything that starts to wake us up. So yea — who knows??!!!
Hi thanks for this piece. I am overdue for a promotion as per rules for close to 2 years now. There is so much backstage drama that goes on. I am disappointed in the power politics but the thing is I can choose to focus on improving my lab's research and publish worthy papers in my area or I can go around networking and pandering to the whims of Univ officials, for a supposed importance. I am choosing the former because sooner or later the Univ will have to give me the promotion and to me the larger relevance of my work is important. I have no aspirations to climb up the Univ rung of officials, happy to be just a researcher here. Sorry this was long winded!
Of course! It’s your choice and not everyone wants to move up the ladder! I would caution you, however, that being 100% focused on your work with your head down, can make you vulnerable. It’s still important to stay tuned in to what’s going on around you so you’re not blindsided at some point down the road.
Unfortunately once you get stuck in those lower positions it can be nearly impossible to get out. Sometimes organizations will pigeonhole particular roles and can't see you in any other position, particularly one of leadership.
Yet another reason we need to be talking about the importance of feminism and dismantling the patriarchy.
Absolutely! These barriers exist because of the patriarchy!! these barriers exist due to systemic bias that continually move men ahead in the workplace instead of qualified women.
1000%. You might wanna join me over on Deconstructing Patriarchy!
Listening to this Bonnie I have so many thoughts and ideas, but of course. As a young, bright eyed business student full of possibilities. I just thought if I got good grades and graduated with honors that would set me up enough to have a good career. I had no idea to even ask any of these questions or to find a good mentor to help me figure out what questions to ask. And I love how many actionable steps you give women… And I don’t know if this is in your wheelhouse, but I would love to see a post or two that we could send to young women entering into their college years so that they can set themselves up for success even earlier than the first years of their career. Maybe you already have something on the books for that but just was thinking That would’ve helped me tremendously back in the 90s. I think I was going with the flow and just expecting that I was doing the right steps to get where I needed to go. I didn’t also have enough exposure in those early years to all of the different types of career path I could’ve taken and what those might’ve looked like. Again I know that that’s more of a systemic issue than something you can write about but just thoughts.
Also, when I still get you on the interview schedule for the summer.
I was just going with the flow through college and even grad school. I hear you! I was pre-med for three years but ended up a sociology major with no direction except a doctorate and college professor? But life circumstances led me to a business career. It would be interesting to find out how many young women in college have a clear career ambition or are more like you and I, who find a direction later.
Yes I am wondering that too. I know life as a woman in patriarchy is always throwing us curve balls — so hard to plan anything. Especially if we “happen” to find anything that starts to wake us up. So yea — who knows??!!!
The best we can do is to be prepared for the curve balls and have options in our back pocket. Resilience is the best thing we can teach young women.
Bringing it back to the right thang! love it!!!
Hi thanks for this piece. I am overdue for a promotion as per rules for close to 2 years now. There is so much backstage drama that goes on. I am disappointed in the power politics but the thing is I can choose to focus on improving my lab's research and publish worthy papers in my area or I can go around networking and pandering to the whims of Univ officials, for a supposed importance. I am choosing the former because sooner or later the Univ will have to give me the promotion and to me the larger relevance of my work is important. I have no aspirations to climb up the Univ rung of officials, happy to be just a researcher here. Sorry this was long winded!
Of course! It’s your choice and not everyone wants to move up the ladder! I would caution you, however, that being 100% focused on your work with your head down, can make you vulnerable. It’s still important to stay tuned in to what’s going on around you so you’re not blindsided at some point down the road.
Appreciate your advice, thanks!
Unfortunately once you get stuck in those lower positions it can be nearly impossible to get out. Sometimes organizations will pigeonhole particular roles and can't see you in any other position, particularly one of leadership.
The solution is to build experience capital. Get experience through taking on new projects, getting out of your comfort zone and learn new skills.