Pamela Quillin, P.E.
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You've Got Three Problems

4/11/2012

2 Comments

 
In one plant, I had a few problem maintenance men not working with me.  For some reason, they thought I had trouble understanding how switches work as well as other things.  Their maintenance foreman finally learned differently and his attitude changed.

As I discussed these men with my supervisor one time, he told me I had three problems:
  • You are female
  • You are smart
  • You are educated


"Those things make people not like you," he explained.  "And, you're getting more education, which people don't like about you!"

There were really four things the men didn't like about me.  Those are supposed to be positive attributes in humanity.

That was hard to hear and digest but I handled it.  There isn't anything I can do to change any of those things.  I could have stopped the master's program.  That wasn't even a consideration in my mind.  It was a goal and I was going to achieve it.

There were male engineers in that plant who were working on MBAs.  Why would I be viewed any differently than them?

Whoever those men were, they weren't worth worrying about.  They would either figure it out or die jealous, bitter, and resentful.  It was their choice.  I continued to be nice and professional.

During my exit interview, the same manager blurted, "I'll never hire another good looking, female engineer!  It causes too much disruption on the factory floor!"

I was stunned by those statements.  I had replaced a good looking, female engineer!  Never had I detected any disruptions because of my looks.  I don't consider myself that good looking either.  We had a contractor in often who caused some minor delays with work because she was beautiful.  Me, not so much.

Why are looks a reason to negatively bias a qualified candidate?

There is a lot more to this plant than met the naked eye.  I think a number of the men were struggling with women period.
2 Comments
Bruce Veale
6/1/2012 01:26:02 pm

You know, I have a hard time understanding why men would feel threatened by you because you are female and good looking?

I'm also flabbergasted that a manager would say something like that in an exit interview.

I don't doubt what you say, I've grabbed a coffee with a couple of the younger female engineers I work with and asked them if guys were put off by them being engineers and they said it was. More than a few times guys backed off when they found out what they did. I don't understand it.

Reply
Pam
6/6/2012 12:53:42 pm

Bruce, my uncle warned me about it. Some men have told me I shouldn't know the things I know and I shouldn't be able to do the things I do.

Men don't want unfair competition and some believe that is what exists today.

I've heard it from many of them. They believe the deck is stacked against them and women will be promoted long before men.

Most of those men believe unqualified women are promoted.

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    I have spent years in the bowels of manufacturing plants helping to bring numerous products to market that touch virtually every aspect of life.

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