Episode Transcript
Let’s talk about all the times you’re not taken seriously as an engineer. Hopefully there aren’t too many. But you probably have at least one story.
It happens a lot when you’re early in your career. People assume, because you’re young, that you’re inexperienced and incapable.
I often hear early career engineers complain that they’re mistaken for interns even though they’re years past that.
Because you’re a woman people assume you’re part of the admin staff. Or just ignore you altogether because they’re not used to seeing women as engineers.
This happens in mid and late career too.
Sometimes you get a look or a comment that’s demeaning.
Sometimes people avoid you or work around you. Refusing to acknowledge you and your role.
My personal pet peeve is when people talk over you or around you, as if you’re not even there.
Sometimes it’s blatant. Usually it’s subtle.
In any case it makes your job that much harder. It adds an extra burden in your career. It’s exhausting and it’s disillusioning.
And it’s one of the reasons many women leave engineering before they hit their stride.
But this doesn’t have to derail you.
Stay the course in your engineering career and the people who don’t take you seriously will fade away.
The Reasons You’re Not Taken Seriously in Your Engineering Career
The reasons why you’re not taken seriously have more to do with others than with you. Biases and stereotypes exist and they affect how people behave.
You’re not the stereotypical engineer. And that throws people. Both men and women.
Sometimes you don’t get the right support from management and that also affects whether or not people take you seriously.
But there are some things you can do to improve your situation. And thankfully these are good things to do for your career anyway.
So the message is to forge ahead. Focus on your career vision and follow through with your goals.
Because in so doing you will outlast those who can’t change their limiting beliefs.
Tips for Being Respected in the Engineering Workplace
Here are a few tips for being respected and taken seriously:
Tip number 1 is to take yourself seriously. If you believe in yourself, others will too. Whereas if you seem unsure of yourself, others will sense that. And they’ll tend to be unsure of you too.
You probably know by now that one of my favorite topics is self-advocacy. There are 2 ways to apply it in this case.
First advocate for yourself by carrying out your job with confidence and openness. You’re an awesome engineer and you should never doubt that.
Build your courage and confidence and let your authentic self shine.
And second, advocate for yourself by practicing boldness and diplomacy. Speak up when you need support. Inform people of your career message.
Call it out when comments or actions are unsuitable. And be willing to correct people when they make wrong assumptions about you.
Self-advocacy will go a long way in helping you get the respect you deserve.
Another effective approach is to stay focused on keeping your career journey on track.
Follow these suggestions from Episode 96 – 5 Indicators that Your Engineering Career is Headed for Awesomeness:
- Own your career. Be in charge. Own your career vision, your workload, and your calendar. And keep your career on the right trajectory by heading toward your goals.
- Know your next career step. Know where you’re headed. And stay in alignment with your energetic center.
- Strengthen your network. Stay focused on connecting with people. Learn to rely on people in your network in a give-and-take manner.
- Connect with influential people. Find people who can positively impact your career success.
- And keep a good pace and balance. Be aware of where you are in your career journey. Maintain forward motion while making sure your work is aligned with you and your needs.
Let me also say that if you’re in an environment that doesn’t allow you to enjoy what you do and be taken seriously as an engineer – and there’s no change in sight – it’s time to find a new work environment.
There are plenty available where you can thrive in an engineering career that’s much more fulfilling. BTW, Episode 99 is a good one on this topic.
But generally if you’re applying these tips, it’s only a matter of time before you’re taken seriously.
Because these are the practices that get you to your dream career. Regardless of the people who don’t respect you.
I’d love to work with you on self-advocacy skills and any of the many ways you can move your engineering career toward awesomeness.
Go here for more information.
Next time on Her Engineering Career Podcast we’ll talk about keeping your engineering career bright, impassioning, and effervescent. I hope you’ll join me for Episode 124.