An examination of the challenges faced by women pursuing careers in fields traditionally dominated by men and how they are overcoming those obstacles
Gone are the days when a woman was expected to get married, stay at home, and raise the children. Women are now also expected, and many choose, to enter the workforce and financially contribute to the household income. No longer are many women content to fold themselves into traditionally female work roles such as secretaries and nurses; they are now seeking to enter and thrive in more non-traditional careers.
Women in non-traditional careers often face significant challenges, from a lack of mentorship and access to resources to gender discrimination and bias. Despite these obstacles, women are increasingly taking the lead in fields such as engineering, technology, and finance, By embracing diversity and challenging existing stereotypes, they are proving that women have an important role to play in these industries.
Kara Nance
The medical field is one career path in which women continue to experience significant bias. Dr. Kara Nance, Communication and Relational Coach at KaraNanceMD, medical doctor/CEO of WellessenceMD, physician and entrepreneur, has experienced her fair share of bias as a Doctor in the medical industry. “My biggest challenge was not having my male partners understand that I needed more flexibility in my work schedule to accommodate the needs of my four children,” reflects Nance. “To have so little understanding for the two important jobs I was balancing was incredibly disheartening.” Deciding that feeling like a disappointment on a daily basis was not how she wanted to feel in her job, Nance decided to go into business for herself. “While I definitely made less money as a solo practice physician, the autonomy and choice I had around when I was at work and when I could be there for my children were priceless.” Nance successfully runs her practice with the support of four other working moms and has created a culture where family comes first. “I feel strongly that women should be empowered to develop their own creative solutions for managing their work-life balance,” states Nance. “I also think we need to continue to empower men to take over more of the emotional labor that comes with child rearing and running a household.”
Kortney Murray
Kortney Murray, Founder and CEO of Coastal Kapital, is no stranger to the challenges that women face in non-traditional careers. “Being that I am in a heavy construction-based business and equipment finance lending, I have had to overcome obstacles as a woman for years. I have been capped on commission, not taken to events, and looked at as if I couldn’t possibly understand,” says Murray. Situations like this happen daily in the workplace, and women often have to work twice as hard to get past some of the challenges. That being said, Murray has some advice for women who are navigating the challenges of non-traditional careers. “Keep a level head, move past it, do not allow an opinion to define you, and do what you can to keep yourself a step ahead. I have created ideas, businesses, books, and awareness, and you would not believe the number of men who come out and support you. It makes all the men that don’t look insignificant in number. Keep believing in yourself, and move on if you need to. Learn from everything and become stronger. I love working in a man’s world! Once you get past the challenges, you can persevere and flourish into an advocate for them, not a threat.”
Reena Merchant
“The biggest lesson I’ve learned over the years is that you should never try to be someone you’re not. When working in an industry where success is frequently defined in masculine terms, it can be easy to start believing you need to ‘become’ that in order to succeed,” says Reena Merchant, a team member of the User Experience leadership team at Google. Merchant has spent her entire career of almost 20 years working in the tech industry, one that has a history of being dominated by men. “Confidently embodying your authentic leadership style is the best path to success, no matter what kind of environment you work in. Ultimately, results are what matter. What works for others may not work for you, so use the superpowers you have, rather than trying to embody or mimic someone else,” shares Merchant.
There is most definitely a place for women in non-traditional careers. By taking proactive steps to address workplace bias and leading by example, women can positively impact their chosen fields and inspire other women to pursue their goals. Women who choose to step into these roles and demonstrate resilience and perseverance will continue to pave the way for future generations of female leaders, inspiring others to reach for success even when faced with adversity.
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