Women in Male Dominated Fields

Today, we discuss the challenges women face in male-dominated fields, focusing on women pay equity and the need for mentors. Carolyn Conklin, a manager on a catastrophe team for insurance companies, shared her experiences of proving herself in a male-dominated environment. She emphasized the importance of hard work, maintaining high quality, and demonstrating reliability and integrity to counter any biases and secure her position. Both Carolyn and I, a woman retina surgeon, recognized the necessity of building support systems and seeking mentorship to navigate and succeed in our respective fields. We also discussed the issue of women who have succeeded sometimes not being welcoming to those following in their footsteps. Carolyn noted that these women might build silos around themselves as a defense mechanism. However, she emphasized the importance of understanding that younger women are not in competition but seeking guidance. Open communication can help alleviate this perception. Persistently seeking mentorship, regardless of the initial response, is crucial. This conversation highlighted the importance of support, mentorship, and resilience for women striving to succeed in traditionally male-dominated fields. Thank you, Carolyn Conklin, for sharing your insights, and thank you to our audience for tuning in.