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January 9, 2006
Women in the work place
For the next three days at work I will be attending the annual Microsoft Women's Conference. I really like the idea of empowering women to learn the skills needed to be successful. Basically, give information and techniques for women to level the playing field without paving the way for every woman just based on gender. As I do believe that there are times when women are not getting the jobs (or pay) they deserve, I think there are men who end up getting deprived of a job they deserve because of some quota of women needed. Even just today, I heard a news article say that 57% of college students in America are women. Where is the inequality? Okay, I'll get off my soapbox.
Ah, yes, the conference. First of all I think Microsoft does an amazing job of recruiting some of the top men and women so I don't see a lot of issue — they all seem as though they have earned their jobs. It is also powerful to see that most of the speakers are all very successful women. There are some men, but most of the speakers are women in this case. Based on the topics it is really focus on giving the flat out information on what ca be done to succeed. The conference is open to men and women that work at Microsoft, but the content is focused on areas which women tend to need more work on (in general). There are a huge number of available sessions of which I have signed up for the ones that appeal most to me. We will see what I take from each, but I am really looking forward to it.
The fact is most men and women do work differently in many ways. A rough guess and men and women each have about equal the amount of natural traits that work well for jobx. This doesn't mean that men and women can't act the same, nor do I think they have to work the same. I do however also think that there are things that each men and women don't do as well as the other naturally. I think it is great to develop the areas that don't come as naturally. This goes for men and women.
Women, if you aren't getting the pay you deserve, take a close look and see if there are things that you can do (without changing who you are) to stand out. Maybe it is just a lack of confidence, or needing to be more forthcoming. If you are sure that it has nothing to do with how you do the job, take it up with someone who has the power to change it if you can't.
Men, if you are sick of waiting in line while the girl quota gets filled ... all I can really say is I hope it doesn't make you bitter. You may want to work on rounding out your skills as well. Unfortunately, many people who feel they have been mistreated don't really want equality, but preferential treatment, so there will always be a few fighting for more. On the upside, there are many many women who are proud to achieve success without the path being made for them. This at least goes for America, in my opinion. Again, I am all for equal treatment, but I think people tend to re-define equal to favor themselves far too often. To me, this means that all the zealots ruin it for the genuine people who deserve the better treatment, by causing resentment.
Damn, I guess I got back on my soapbox. Ah, anyways, I know what it is like to have times where I work twice as hard as someone else and get have the recognition, but I also know there are times where I have excelled without effort and gotten all the glory. Neither moment is any more or less important over all.
One last question ... would people get away with wearing slogans that say: Guys rule, Girls drool?
Posted by layla at January 9, 2006 8:14 PM
Comments
Like most men, I have the skill of making fart jokes.
Posted by: milkman at January 9, 2006 9:49 PM
I'm sure Liz Lawley will be in attendance, but she may be one of the speakers. She's really awesome (I met her when I was at RIT in January 05).
Posted by: Jarrod Lombardo at January 10, 2006 2:34 PM
At quick glance, I wouldn't think she is here (although I have no clue). She isn't listed as a speaker as far as I can tell. It also doesn't look like she works full-time at Microsoft.
Her site does show that she has spoken at Microsoft before. Surely she could still be one of the almost 5000 women at the conference this week — who knows.
Thinking about that, I need to get better about taking down peoples names and contact info that I meet.
Posted by: Layla at January 10, 2006 6:29 PM
Actually, I was there, for a few of the talks. :) I'm on sabbatical from RIT, and am spending the year as a visiting researcher in MSR (Microsoft Research) and MSN Search.
Posted by: Liz Lawley at January 17, 2006 11:31 AM
Nice to meet you Liz. Great to hear that you were able to make it to some of the conference!
If you want to meet up for lunch feel free to send me an email.
Posted by: Layla at January 17, 2006 1:23 PM