When I started out with with this technology stuff many years ago, I never had to pay for my drinks. The downside was that I had problems getting guys to teach me stuff,since they wanted to impress me by doing it for me. But I don't think I had to work any harder to prove my stuff if I was the first female hired.
Now being taken seriously is a little harder for me. I worked with a woman who cried whenever she was told anything less than positive, so I had problems getting honest feedback. Another place everything was fine until two young ladies were hired - neither of them knew very much,and they both were knocked up within twelve months (one by a coworker during a business trip!) Women have stood against me in sexual/gender harrassment issues, and a female boss told me my pantsuits weren't feminine enough. On top of all that, women aren't such a novelty anymore, so I'm stuck paying my bartab.
As far as I'm concerned, my world is best when it's just me and the guys - no "women's issues" groups, no mandatory "women's efficacy" seminars. Just old-fashioned work and jealous co-workers' wives at company parties.
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Here's my perspective.
When I started out with with this technology stuff many years ago, I never had to pay for my drinks. The downside was that I had problems getting guys to teach me stuff,since they wanted to impress me by doing it for me. But I don't think I had to work any harder to prove my stuff if I was the first female hired.
Now being taken seriously is a little harder for me. I worked with a woman who cried whenever she was told anything less than positive, so I had problems getting honest feedback. Another place everything was fine until two young ladies were hired - neither of them knew very much,and they both were knocked up within twelve months (one by a coworker during a business trip!) Women have stood against me in sexual/gender harrassment issues, and a female boss told me my pantsuits weren't feminine enough. On top of all that, women aren't such a novelty anymore, so I'm stuck paying my bartab.
As far as I'm concerned, my world is best when it's just me and the guys - no "women's issues" groups, no mandatory "women's efficacy" seminars. Just old-fashioned work and jealous co-workers' wives at company parties.