Breaking Barriers: Empowering Women in Male-Dominated Industries

Women in male-dominated industries

Women remain significantly underrepresented in C-level positions, where they held only 6.6% of CEO roles in Fortune 500 companies in 2021, while their representation in executive officer positions other than CEO was around 21.2%, with the underrepresentation particularly pronounced among women of color.

Women's representation in male-dominated industries varies by sector and role. In the US, women represent approximately 28% of the overall STEM workforce, 29% in senior management in finance and banking, 10% in construction and engineering, 24% in aerospace, and 25% in IT. Women represent around 20% of the oil and gas sector and 37% in the legal profession. In the film industry, they account for about 31% of speaking characters in top-grossing films.

What can we do about it?

Here are my top career strategies:

Seek Role Models and Mentorship: One crucial step is to identify role models occupying the positions you aspire to attain and actively pursue mentorship from them. This involves engaging in conversations with CEOs and Senior Vice Presidents to gain insights into their career trajectories and the strategies they employed to reach their current roles. It is imperative to engage with individuals several ranks above your current position, as this provides valuable guidance on how to ascend to their level while also positioning yourself favourably for future career opportunities.

Address the Gender Pay Gap: Women should be acutely aware of the pervasive gender pay gap and take proactive steps to negotiate their compensation. Failure to negotiate can have a cumulative and adverse impact on a woman's career progression. Some of the most significant leaps in pay occur when transitioning between employers or seizing opportunities to negotiate within your current role.

Cultivate a Proactive Career Mindset: Success rarely knocks on your door unprompted; it demands a proactive mindset. Cultivating a proactive mindset towards career advancement is essential. Women should not rely on others to recognize their potential and promote them to positions of authority. Many individuals who have successfully ascended to the C-suite did so by making a conscious decision to pursue their goals and taking deliberate actions to achieve them. If reaching the executive level is not part of one's ambitions, it is vital to introspect and understand the reasons behind this choice. Is it due to a perceived lack of leadership potential or a negative past experience? It is crucial to recognize that the gap between current status and desired career milestones is primarily a matter of mindset and skills, both of which can be acquired and developed.

Consider Entrepreneurship: It is worth noting that I've encountered many accomplished women who, upon recognizing that their industry or current company didn't offer them the room for growth or the opportunity to make a significant impact, made the bold decision to start their own enterprises. These women have found success in entrepreneurship because it allows them to innovate in ways that may have been restricted within their previous corporate confines. Sometimes, when it's challenging to find a fulfilling role within existing structures, the best course of action is to create your own opportunities.

In conclusion, the journey to success in male-dominated industries requires determination, strategic thinking, and a willingness to innovate. By seeking role models, addressing the gender pay gap, cultivating a proactive mindset, and considering entrepreneurship, women can confidently navigate these challenging environments and make a profound impact. The path is not without its obstacles, but each step taken brings us closer to breaking the barriers and empowering more women to rise to the top.

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Women remain significantly underrepresented in C-level positions, where they held only 6.6% of CEO roles in Fortune 500 companies in 2021, while their representation in executive officer positions other than CEO was around 21.2%, with the underrepresentation particularly pronounced among women of color.

Women's representation in male-dominated industries varies by sector and role. In the US, women represent approximately 28% of the overall STEM workforce, 29% in senior management in finance and banking, 10% in construction and engineering, 24% in aerospace, and 25% in IT. Women represent around 20% of the oil and gas sector and 37% in the legal profession. In the film industry, they account for about 31% of speaking characters in top-grossing films.

What can we do about it?

Here are my top career strategies….

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This week I’ve been having many conversations about asking for your worth in Negotiations, and I wanted to share some thoughts of encouragement for people struggling in this area. The main problem is not that people aren’t giving you what you are worth; it’s that you don’t understand what you are worth enough to ask confidently! It is essential to realise that this is a common fear, especially among women and minorities (people in ‘lower’ power positions in society). In knowing that this is a common fear, don’t take it personally. There is nothing wrong with you that you experience self-doubt. But, feeling the doubt is not the way out of it…. So let’s talk about how to minimise self-doubt by becoming more critical regarding of the voices that you allow to impact your actions.

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