7 Women Share Their Experience Working In Male-Dominated Industries

Even though approximately 72% of women attend college and only around 66% of men do, many women still find themselves working in career fields that are largely dominated by men. A male-dominated industry is defined as any industry where less than 25% of the employees are females. We have lots of these women in our Future Female Leaders Network so I sat down with some of them to hear more about their careers and what it is like to work primarily with men.

Olivia, 25, Automotive Industry, 1.5 years

How many people total do you work with? How many of them are women?

11 people total, 0 other women. 

What sorts of training and education were required for you to do what you do?

I had sales training by my dealer group but most people I work with don’t have degrees or high school diplomas. 

What is your favorite part of working in a male-dominated industry?

It’s my chance to prove that I don’t have to be a man or act like a man to succeed in my field! 

What is your least favorite part?

I wish I had girls to talk about girly stuff with. 

Have you ever been discriminated against for being a female in your industry?

I had a manager who told me a major component of my job is to look pretty and girly. A man wouldn’t ever be told to look handsome for his job. 

Why should more women pursue your field?

It’s a great way for women to make a good income and teaches so many hard skills. 

Maggie, 23, Medical Devices Industry, almost 2 years

How many people total do you work with? How many of them are women?

In my group, there’s probably around 30 people. In my individual team, there are 5 people including me. And in my group, there is one other female engineer. On my team, I am the only woman. 

What sorts of training and education were required for you to do what you do?

Bachelors or above in an engineering discipline (Mechanical, Biomedical, etc.) Bachelors or above plus years of experience in the medical device industry for math/physics/ related fields. 

What is your favorite part of working in a male-dominated industry?

I think the team dynamic is great. We all have different perspectives on things, so it really provides a great working atmosphere. 

What is your least favorite part?

Honestly, I love every aspect of it. The only thing that is a downfall to not having many women as coworkers is that when I started, I didn’t have anyone to ask questions about the dress code. 

Have you ever been discriminated against for being a female in your industry?

No. I find that if you work as hard as your male counterparts, you’ll be respected as one. You’re respected based on your work ethic, intelligence, and effort you put into your work. 

Why should more women pursue your field?

Working on devices that improve people’s lives or potentially save lives is so rewarding, and if you love science and math, it’s perfect for you. I would like to add that I love that getting women in STEM has been such a focus for everyone, but I want to make it known that it is an extremely tough field. There’s plenty of times you’ll want to quit and give up, but if you really love the field, push through and know that all your hard work will pay off. 

Diane, 66, Public Safety and Defense Industry, 45 years

How many people total do you work with? How many of them are women?

100 other people, 10 women. 

What sorts of training and education were required for you to do what you do?

Bachelor minimum, Masters preferred.

What is your favorite part of working in a male-dominated industry?

A knowledgeable woman is recognized and respected for what she knows. 

What is your least favorite part?

One must always be aware you are “not one of the boys”

Have you ever been discriminated against for being a female in your industry?

Yes. I was a Division Director and wanted to move into a leadership position in sales. I was told I did not have the credentials for the job and it was given to a man with no success history. And I ended up doing most of his work so left and got a better job in one year making twice the money. 

Why should more women pursue your field?

There is an opportunity today for a young woman to succeed for what she knows and she will be supported for the strong leader she is. I’d like to add, don’t allow yourself to become manipulative or lose your reputation by dating a customer or co-worker. Keep work and social life separate as a woman in a male-dominated industry. 

Ashley, 26, Software Engineering Industry, 5 years

How many people total do you work with? How many of them are women?

56 people under my director, 7 people on my scrum team. 8 under my director, I am the only woman on my scrum team

What sorts of training and education were required for you to do what you do?

I have a bachelors in computer engineering but I would say that is not required at all anymore. I work with multiple people who went to tech bootcamps and didn’t get degrees. And I would say the minimum requirement to enter this industry now is just a certification from a tech bootcamp such as Galvanize or Woz U, etc.

What is your favorite part of working in a male-dominated industry?

My favorite part about working in a male-dominated industry is getting to provide a unique perspective to the software we develop. I can provide the perspective of half of our users in a unique way. I also get to be a role model to young girls when I have gone to speak at everything from elementary schools to colleges and bootcamps.

What is your least favorite part?

My least favorite part of working in a male-dominated industry is the fact that I don’t always relate as well to some of my male coworkers. They always try to ask about my non-existent significant other, when I plan to have kids, etc. I try to change the topic to things we can align on. We are all nerds so I try to drive our random discussion topics to things like the latest Marvel movies or some new technology that just got released. Whatever I have to do to show my coworkers the things we have in common.

Have you ever been discriminated against for being a female in your industry?

Unfortunately yes, however I would argue it is way more of a cultural thing that a truly sexist thing. Being in the software engineering industry, many of my coworkers come from different parts of the world where in some cases women aren’t even allowed to work. I think that definitely drives some of the issues I have had. I have to work harder sometimes to get my ideas to be taken seriously or to get some of my coworkers to give me legitimate leadership responsibilities. And I have had to be tough sometimes but it definitely made it way more satisfying when I recently got promoted. I hope in my own small way I have proven to them that women are equally as capable as men in this industry.

Why should more women pursue your field?

Software engineering is a great field. Most importantly for me, I find coding to be fun. I enjoy the challenge of working to build something from scratch where I have to figure out my strategy from a blank file and when I hit a wall with a problem, pivoting to find a solution. I also enjoy the satisfaction of finding the solution when a bug is found in existing code. Overall, I think it is a stable field to be in and I enjoy the unique challenges that come along with it and therefore I think many women would find it to be a great field to pursue as well. 

Kristie, 29, Reserve Army Officer and Department of Defense, 5 years

How many people total do you work with? How many of them are women?

About 30-40~, 1 or 2 others are women. 

What sorts of training and education were required for you to do what you do?

Bachelor’s degree to become a commissioned officer. 

What is your favorite part of working in a male-dominated industry?

No drama and stronger camaraderie .

What is your least favorite part?

Having to prove that you can do just as well as a man.

Have you ever been discriminated against for being a female in your industry?

No. I’ve always been treated equally. 

Why should more women pursue your field?

You get the opportunity to challenge yourself everyday and make a difference in the community. 

Jessica, 36, HVAC Industry, 13 years

How many people total do you work with? How many of them are women?

14 people total, one other female. 

What sorts of training and education were required for you to do what you do?

Certificate program/experience 

What is your favorite part of working in a male-dominated industry?

I feel empowered. Men have mentored me and have been very excited to help me grow and lift me up; make me better. I never experienced the support and camaraderie from females as I do with men. In my experience women are passive aggressive and quick to tear you down. 

What is your least favorite part?

Men will wait to see if someone else will do it for them. That ‘someone else’ is often a female.

Have you ever been discriminated against for being a female in your industry?

Absolutely! I’ve had my ass slapped. I’ve been passed up for promotions. And I’ve literally been backed into a corner by a guy who thought he could take advantage of me sexually. He. Was. Wrong.

Why should more women pursue your field?

Because trades will ALWAYS be essential. College isn’t for everyone but trades challenge your mind and body more than people give them credit for. Make dominated industries are actually very eager to have women who know their stuff. Men value our input and often use women as sounding boards. The partnerships can be equally as challenging and rewarding as a marriage. Men are not so quick to ‘write you off’ if you hurt their feelings…I could go on and on.

Deanna, 30, Wealth Management, 5 years

How many people total do you work with? How many of them are women?

1, on a daily basis, my assistant. Many if looking at my whole firm. I work for Edward Jones, on a day to day, I work with my assistant who’s female and have a few close female financial advisors that I ask for advice. 

What sorts of training and education were required for you to do what you do?

Licensing. Pass the Series 7, Series 66, obtain my life/health license to sell insurance. I also received my AAMS (accredited asset management specialist).

What is your favorite part of working in a male-dominated industry?

Autonomy of schedule, making as much money as I was and helping awesome clients.

What is your least favorite part?

Pressure to perform.

Have you ever been discriminated against for being a female in your industry?

No. 

Why should more women pursue your field?

Financial advising gives you the opportunity to make money by doing good and helping others invest in a savvy way, understand their investments and grow wealth to help others and future generations. I’ve been able to live a blessed life by helping others through financial management.

You go girls! Would you ever pursue a career that you know is dominated by men?