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Calvin Asks: How can I be taken more seriously?

I’m a female engineer (one of the 9%!) and I’ve just started working in industry for the first time after getting my PhD.

Most of the people I work with are really nice, but there are couple of the more senior managers (both men) who constantly talk down to me, talk over me in meetings and generally dismiss my contributions and don’t take me seriously.

I don’t want to complain to HR or anything – I don’t want to be seen as weak or a problem as I’ve heard some horror stories from other female engineers.

Do you have any advice for me about how I can handle these managers?

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0 Former Community Member over 5 years ago

Hello,

I'm sorry you're facing this. Here are some ideas:

1) Always do your homework - be prepared for meetings, discussions etc

2) You will eventually have to insist on being heard and whatever point you're trying to make during a meeting considered, so pick a point you're sure is valid and important, bring it up during a meeting and insist on being heard. Be nice though, take it easy, if someone interrupts be polite and say something like "just a minute please this is an important point" or "I'd like to bring this up please..", or "just a minute please I'd like to add something before we move on," etc with a SMILE. Then continue talking without waiting for their permission.

3) Seek support from others in your office - don't complain to them, but ask them questions or discuss issues with them or have them quickly review something you wrote before you present them to a bigger group.

4) Focus on practical aspects - unfortunately people with advanced degrees like you are often dismissed in the workplace as "too academic", so always try to link what you do/discuss with every day life or practical issues.

Good luck, be strong ;)
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0 Former Community Member over 5 years ago

Hello,

I'm sorry you're facing this. Here are some ideas:

1) Always do your homework - be prepared for meetings, discussions etc

2) You will eventually have to insist on being heard and whatever point you're trying to make during a meeting considered, so pick a point you're sure is valid and important, bring it up during a meeting and insist on being heard. Be nice though, take it easy, if someone interrupts be polite and say something like "just a minute please this is an important point" or "I'd like to bring this up please..", or "just a minute please I'd like to add something before we move on," etc with a SMILE. Then continue talking without waiting for their permission.

3) Seek support from others in your office - don't complain to them, but ask them questions or discuss issues with them or have them quickly review something you wrote before you present them to a bigger group.

4) Focus on practical aspects - unfortunately people with advanced degrees like you are often dismissed in the workplace as "too academic", so always try to link what you do/discuss with every day life or practical issues.

Good luck, be strong ;)
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Calvin Asks: How can I be taken more seriously?

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