Call me crazy, but aside from family time, I am thrilled when I get some time to read. Whether a magazine or a good book, I am elated at every opportunity to read.
During my latest travels, what caught my attention was not an ad on the latest fall fashions or tips on how to build wealth. Rather, it was a Marie Claire article entitled The Careerist. The subject was, “Don’t Know Tech? You may be hurting your career.” Then I noticed something else, a stat that read nine percent!
Last year, the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported only 9% of female professionals work in computing or engineering. Now, we can argue the accuracy of stats all day. However, in 2010 using the same source, the number ranged from 12% 25%. Is that any better?
Personal branding is about the complete package. Its making sure you have all the information you need to present an educated, confident, well-rounded persona. This week, instead of writing about the aesthetics, find tips on how you can make your mark in the technology and engineering industry.
Know What’s Out There
Know what companies are not only hiring, but learn what positions they are hiring for. Think beyond your degree and the classes you have taken. Recently, I met a young woman who worked as a Vessel Operations Analyst. The gist of her job was guiding vessels across seas and monitoring journeys from point A to point B. How did she get this job with no prior experience? She attended a job fair. Her major was business! They key… think beyond your degree, easy money and summer Fridays.
Companies like The American Petroleum Institute (API) support and hire women for positions like geoscientists, engineers, operations superintendents to name a few. In these roles, women are changing the face of the oil and natural gas industry. Try searching on the term geoscientist, engineer, or operations superintendent. Learn what is out there. Try taking the path less traveled.
Video: Women of the oil and natural gas industry take their message to Capitol Hill.
I can do all things…
In the same article, the founder of Women in Technology states, “Women have been led to believe they can’t do a lot of things.” While that may be part of the reason women have not embraced technology, the opposite can also apply. On occasion, we believe we can do and have to do everything… on our own.
Instead of learning SEO to build visitors to our websites, we take the traditional approach. We pull out our sneakers and hit the streets. While word of mouth is great advertisement, learning the latest forms of online advertising or social networking can save us a lot of time and give us the reach we desire.
Create the Job of Your Dreams
When you hear the words technology and engineering what comes to mind? Is it math? Is it math class?
To some these words have no buzz, no oomph behind them.
Lawyer, doctor, nurse, CEO, manager… now those have some oomph. Typically, we are so caught up on titles we forget the number one reason we are eager to grow up and begin working. Aside from making money, it is the freedom to do what we love.
Look at Ruchi Sanghvi…
At 28, she is the Lead Project Manager for Facebook. They call her the next Mark Zuckerberg (founder and CEO of Facebook). In 2005, Ruchi became Facebook’s first female engineer. She was just months out of Carnegie Mellon. When asked about her background, she credits an interest in her dad’s company: ever since she could talk, she had an interest in taking the company over. He told her it was a man’s world. Thus, Ruchi decided to study Electrical Engineering because it was closely related. Now look what she has accomplished. What happened if she just wanted the title of CEO, instead aiming for the road most traveled?
While engineering and technology may seem broad and often times intimidating, they lay the foundation upon which companies are built. So find your fit!
In a world of uncertainty, you can ensure one thing: that you will persevere. It will take you places “real world” rationalization will talk you out of. Be bold enough to get in the mud with the boys. One Marie Claire “Woman on Top” award winner shares how she makes it a practice to speak within the first 10 minutes of a meeting in order to establish her presence.
The bottom line is to continue doing your research broaden your horizons. This is about building a better, brighter, bolder you!
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