Writer
The future is most definitely female
Since the beginning of time women have been seen as lesser in every realm. Inspired by my grandmothers' bold act of joining the workforce in the 1960's, I have decided to create a photo essay highlighting the goals of college-aged women today. Unlike during my grandmother's time, today, it is not unconventional or out of the norm for women to take on powerful and influential careers. However, women still face hurdles and barriers that men do not. Women are grossly under-represented in science and engineering fields, we only hold 19.3% of seats in the US House of Representatives and 21% in the Senate, and only 6.4% of Fortune 500 CEO's are women. Further, women are still being paid, on average, $.77 to the man's dollar. This photo essay explores the broad range of desire, creativity, and potential that young women exhibit today. The future is female, because of the women in this essay and around the world.
Sophie, 19​
Going into a STEM related field, women are always underrepresented no matter where I go. In the engineering school itself, there are only about 25% of people that are women. Engineering is a field where working in teams plays a huge part in my every day tasks. It can be hard when working in a group of all men because they often don’t think I am as knowledgable and qualified as them and try to diminish my role in the group. however, as the role of women is increasing in STEM fields, employers are constantly looking to add women into their work force. I think that this will help me to get a job, but I think that it will always be a constant battle working with men who think they are superior.
Micky, 20
Being a woman in the dance world can be overwhelming—this field is oversaturated with women. As a result, we can feel replaceable. Simply, we all work very hard for a very small amount of jobs. In my 16 person class alone, there’s only one male. He’ll get roles because he’s a man. Not to say that he isn’t amazing and hard working and talented, but if the job calls for a male dancer, he’s the only one that fits the description. The flip side is that the dance world fosters an incredible environment of women lifting up other women. Simply, we all work very hard for a very small amount of jobs. The strongest women I know are the ones that have supported each other—they’re why I want to dance.
Lexi, 19​
I want to be a high school English teacher and potentially work my way up to being a part of an administration faculty in a school. Being a woman going into teaching, I have heard many responses highlighting stereotypes of women in a teaching role. And with thinking of going into administration, I am struck with extra setbacks because women in a leading role, such as being principal, has been looked at as a struggle.
Andie, 20
I want to earn a PhD in Clinical Psychology. I would like to start a practice of my own and start my own research in the field of psychopathology. Being a woman has caused me to do these things on my own, instead of working under others. I think that there needs to be more women with higher level positions in the field of psychology, more research published by women, and more notable female neuroscientists.
Jana, 20​
I want to be in Public Relations or Marketing working in the fashion industry. For PR I feel like people would normally think of a woman, but I don’t think for fashion there is really a stereotype. I think that there is more of a male stereotype in the fashion industry. Ive always wanted to do something like this, so I haven’t felt restricted by my career goals.
Hannah, 20​
While many may think that being a woman in engineering may put me at a disadvantage, I feel the opposite. I believe that today’s society recognizes the inequality within the field and is trying to change it, and I am fortunately benefiting from these efforts. Freshman year I was part of a residential program called Women in Science and Engineering, in which I took a class that discussed the inequality in STEM and instructed us how to change it. They provided guidance in interview etiquette, resume building, and professional networking. Just the other day I attended a recruiting luncheon only for women, because the company is making efforts to make the workplace equal and welcoming to women. In addition, I recently joined a research project, which coincidentally consists of all female engineers. I am sure that not all women in engineering feel the same way as I do, but I believe that I have benefited from being a woman in engineering.
Vennela, 20​
I think being a woman and being an Indian woman growing up in America made a big difference because I’m not just catering to American culture but also South Indian culture which has a lot more rules and restrictions for women. Its also very stereotypical in our culture for Indian women to become doctors and Indian men to become engineers, so for me, I feel like I’ve grown more confident in my ability to steer away from the norm. I want to go into policy writing regarding women’s rights and incarceration. There are a lot of people who are always going to tell women what to do especially while growing up and I’m very proud of myself for making my own path.
Claire, 19
Going into the nursing profession I find that many people have preconceived notions about what my job will entail as nursing has historically been a job for women. People with no knowledge imagine a job of giving bed baths and cleaning patients up when in reality nursing is more about holistic care and education for patients. Nursing is predominately a women dominated career path so I feel more confident around my peers and do not feel a sense of inequality based on gender, instead I feel more judged and feel more of a need to prove myself to the older, more experienced nurses.
Rachael, 19
I want to go into politics. I not only feel great anxiety about my presentation and my words being taken as a constant reflection and being scrutinized as I try to prove myself worthy, adequate and knowledgeable in this field, but I initially began college in a different major because although I knew I had a passion for enacting change, I believe that my career goals and dreams would not be achievable because of my womanhood.
Emma, 20
I want to be a lawyer. I don’t know exactly what kind of law I want to practice. However, I know that whatever I choose to do I will be entering a male-dominated career. Only about 20% of women are partners at corporate law firms, and less than 35% of judges, both federal and state, are women. The reality is that I don’t aspire to be a corporate lawyer or a judge. I’ve always wanted to devote my life to social justice and civil rights and I know that I want to use my law career to do exactly that, whether that means working for the ACLU, Planned Parenthood or countless other organizations. Entering a male-dominated career can be intimidating, but in reality, it only furthers my passion and love for this work.
Liv, 20
I want to be an on camera sports newscaster. I watch important games and see these successful, powerful women on the sidelines covering such a male dominated sport. But what scares me is how one becomes an on camera newscaster. Surely if you're on camera, appearance matters. Who you are matters. If you don't match the criteria, you may not get the job simply because of the color of your hair. It's scary to think about the fact that because I'm a woman, my appearance may partly be why I get hired, not because of my knowledge and talent. Working in a world run by powerful men intimidated me and sometimes scares me, but hopefully through being a collegiate athlete and a sports fan, my knowledge will outweigh the mere fact that I'm a woman.
Being a woman should no longer be a barrier to fulfilling our aspirations and aiming high. I stand alongside my fellow nasty women as we break down those barriers that are keeping us from being the strong, powerful, professional women that we are. Let's show the world that the future is female.