How Identity Has Influenced the Career of a Staff Biologist at Blackhawk Environmental
In a male-dominated field, the Staff Biologist at Blackhawk Environmental shared that they've had to be "a little more forward" to be taken seriously by older male clients and colleagues. This sometimes requires demonstrating that they "deserve to be there" through exceeding expectations.
Overcoming Challenges, Workplace Challenges, Confidence, Communication, Resilience
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Sarah Toback
Staff Biologist
Blackhawk Environmental
University of California, Los Angeles- 2015
Macquarie University- Master of Conservation Biology
Environmental & Related Sciences
Climate, Environment, Sustainability & Waste Management
Research and Development (R&D)
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. To be taken seriously in a male-dominated field, women may need to be more assertive to be heard and show they deserve their place.
2. Many women in STEM fields report needing to work harder to prove their competence and gain respect from colleagues and clients.
3. Challenges faced by women in male-dominated fields highlight the need for ongoing efforts to foster gender equality and create inclusive work environments for all STEM professionals.
Transcript
As someone who identifies as a woman, how has that impacted your career?
Being a woman in this career has presented some interesting experiences. I've definitely had to learn to be a bit more forward in some work situations.
This is because, as a younger woman, I'm not always taken as seriously in older, male-dominated environments. Many of my clients are older men, and even some of the older biologists I work with are older men.
So, sometimes I feel like I need to step things up a little further, not to prove myself, but just to show that I deserve to be there.