I've not really had any trouble fitting in at the office and have actually made quite a few freinds over the years through work. I work in an office now where there is lots of 'banter' I get a fair amount of stick for being southern but then everyone in the office seems to have something attributed to them for general mocking purpases. The rest on the time everyone is helpful and supportive and we also do a lot of social stuff. It's probably not the right environment for everyone but I really enjoy it.
I'm not sure it has anything to do with sector / technology and more to do with the company itself. I've had both good and bad experiences.
My biggest issue came from someome who did not want to work for a woman. He was moved which created both problems and opportunities. Looking back I think it was better, as I then did not have to deal with the possible ramifications, but it did send out a message within the company which caused other problems.
However, as mentioned I have in the main had a good experience and worked, as many of you in a largely male environment often the only female in the department or area. In the main my co-workers have been great, I tend to find that other departments have had more issues than the engineering depts.
My experience spans bothe automotive and electronic engineering companies, in a range of roles from production engineer, quality engineer, manufacruting supervisor and manager.
I think it completely depends on the people you work with, I started at my previous employer as an apprentice coming straight from my AS levels. In the office I was in the apprentices consisted of me, another girl and 2 boys so pretty evenly split. I got on with all equally and after the girl left before apprenticeship completion I was left with the 2 lads who treated me exactly the same as before.
The thing I found hardest with fitting in with the office was actually my age - most of then men I worked with were 30+ whereas I was only 17 so I found that quite challenging more than the gender issue. No one seemed to make a deal of me being female the rest male so it wasnt an issue. The only time it was relaly noticed was when I went out testing on site and it was just banter between work teams with the other teams saying it wasnt fair that my team had me and they didnt.
I recently left my previous employer and started elsewhere and had no issues whatsoever and plus side is that I'm not even the youngest person in the office any more! But the guys here are a bit more 'down with the kids' than my previous office so the age difference hasnt been challenging either. One thing I have realised since moving was that with my previous employer I was having to work a lot harder to get promotions/pay rises than the 2 lads I was on apprenticeship with. I dont think that will be the case here but we will see!
