<RANT>
Hmm...I seem to recall having to deal with jerks of both sexes, in a variety
of places, doing a variety of work, with a variety of skin color, and of a
variety of nationalities. I believe that we will all have to face some
"unfair" circumstances regardless of our gender. There are always jerks to
deal with no matter what industry you are employed.
You also have to consider the fact that this field is not only male-oriented
because of discrimination, but because of women's lack of interest. Being a
relatively new field, maybe not enough time has been given to find the truly
appealing nature of it from a woman's prespective. When I look at the
gender of students in an IT class, even at high school level, I still see a
male dominated environment, so this "male dominance" is happening at a level
before gender inequality really becomes an issue. Ballet (No, I don't
participate) is a field that is vastly dominated by women but there have
been some wildly successful male dancers in the world. Again, a lack of
interest is probably the primary reason for this.
If you're a woman and have the desire to succeed in this field, then you
will succeed, but it takes a little time. The reality is that the market is
becoming more competetive for everyone, male and female alike. There are
many more resumes to pick through for every networking job than there were
just 3 or 4 years ago. The days of leaving an IT job and being hired by
someone else are pretty much gone unless you're just the bomb like some of
the esteemed members of this list.
Now, back to studying! ;-)
</RANT>
Rik
-----Original Message-----
From: Lenita [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Friday, June 09, 2000 2:30 PM
To: Ms. Maria; Chuck Larrieu
Cc: Cisco@Groupstudy. Com
Subject: RE: Cisco for Woman?
Chuck, I'm glad you appreciate women, that's great! Good for you!
My points, however, I think are still valid: this is an OVERWHELMINGLY male
field and she should be aware that it is NOT by accident that there is a
lack of women in the field.
Should that stop Maria? No, of course not. It used to be that there no
women Doctors, no female Attorneys, etc. So she can overcome and succeed.
But she asked the question, and I'm a woman in this field and will speak to
the TRUTH of what I said.
And, I never said there weren't great, professional men in this field.
There are, and those men are in the majority, no question.
However, there are also very unprofessional men in this field, unlike other
fields of work, who don't get disciplined for their remarks and behaviour
because of their perceived technical skills.
This is a reality that Maria needs to deal with; she should not let it stop
her, she just needs to recognize that the rules are different for technical
males versus technical females.
Mileage may indeed vary, but real life is real life.......
-----Original Message-----
From: Chuck Larrieu [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Friday, June 09, 2000 9:56 AM
To: Lenita; Ms. Maria
Subject: RE: Cisco for Woman?
I for one am grateful for the good advice and inspiration I have received
from a number of people on and off this list. More than a couple of those
folks are women. I owe Pam Forsythe and Clare Gough big time. I consider
Priscilla Oppenheimer a great lady in every sense of the term. I've read
just a bit of Laura Chappell, but can she ever write!
I think that the "boys" are just that. I think you will also find that the
"men" out there really appreciate the presence of a qualified woman. Like
everything else, your mileage may vary.
Best wishes in your studies.
Chuck
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of
Lenita
Sent: Friday, June 09, 2000 9:23 AM
To: Ms. Maria; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: RE: Cisco for Woman?
Let me speak to this from a woman's point of view. Being a trailblazer
isn't a lot of fun, trust me. You are exactly right, this is a HEAVILY
male-dominated field, and the best way to think of it as if the field were
like white-collar construction; lots of male macho behaviour. Some of the
crap I've heard and been exposed to in this field would automatically get
people fired in other disciplines, but because they're just boyz, well, they
were just kidding.....
The level of sexual comments can be quite high - much higher than any other
job I've been in......I mean I've heard some really offensive stuff coming
out of some male techs some times......
Often assertive women will get nailed (ie - fired, or tagged as being a dyke
for being too assertive.....etc - you know the drill, I'm betting). If
you're beautiful, 5'2" and submissive, that's perfect for a lot of these
guys - but what that do for you in your career? The requirement for this
job, I believe, is for a secure, professional and assertive person (notice I
did not mention gender in my description).
Yes, to some degree some men like diversity, but GOD FORBID that woman
actually knows more than they do.........
But having said all that, is it a good field for women? YES! There's NO
reason we can't do the work, and this field, as you already have noted, is
DESPARATE for female presence.......it's going to happen sooner or later,
and the pay is decent. You're on the right track. PLEASE keep
going..........
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of
Ms. Maria
Sent: Friday, June 09, 2000 12:15 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Cisco for Woman?
Hello my friends,
I have been looking for a job in Cisco field. I have earned CCNA, already
have MCSE, and doing my CCNP now. While going for interviews, I sometime
feel that this Routing and Swtiching environment is strictly man dominated.
I have never seen a woman interviewing me for WAN job. Funny thing is that
I am going to one institute from last couple of months and I am only one
girl taking CCNP classes with 25+ men in my class. Sometimes, I sit back and
think that if I have chosen a wrong profession?? Any advice from people who
are already working in this field will be helpful. Is there any sex
discrimination going on for these jobs?
By the way, I am in USA this time.
Thanks for the consideration!
Maria
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