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Looking back and looking forward…
July 15th, 2010 by Ann Tse

A former co-worker recently sent me this photo from 2007 of our team enjoying a Chinese dinner during a big trip to the factory to get everything rolling on the production line. Looking at this picture is confusing and fascinating – I see so much in it:

Which one of these is not like the others, right? Though I am the only female here, I don’t think I really stick out. There is 1 Indian, 5 (6 including me) Asians, and 2 white/caucasian guys. With the faces blacked out I see it particularly striking that I HAVE THE SAME HAIR as the guy next to me. Yeah, seriously… a little embarrassing, no?
As for clothing… Wow, 6 are wearing collared polo-type shirts, and 2 of us are wearing t-shirts (me included). Looking back I see my sartorial choices here as slightly depressing, and really evident of my attempt to blend in and not stick out. The boring brown t-shirt practically looks like camouflage in dusty factory and China environments. When I look at this photo, I see me trying to be quiet, boring, and easily overlooked.
Fundamentally – I don’t see me. This is not me, this is not who I want to be – yet it was what I felt that I “had” to be in order to work comfortably and pass appropriately in the workplace at that time. It’s definitely not me now, which I can gleefully look back and celebrate. I’ve come a long way!
But, if we were to show this picture “of engineers” to a group of young girls, what would they say? Would they want to be engineers? Is this how we want the engineering profession to look? Honestly, I would say no. I want it to be more vibrant – more colorful – more happy. Instead of having people look muted, trying to blend in and fit with everyone else, I want engineers to feel comfortable in expressing themselves, finding comfort and joy in their individual abilities. And most importantly, I want women engineers to know that its OK to look like a woman when on the job. Femininity through appearance is a fine line to navigate, certainly, but realize that you don’t need to look like a man or pretend to be like a man in order to be a successful engineer! It’s true! Amazing how I still need to be reminded of that from time to time…

2 Responses  
  • Erica writes:
    July 15th, 2010 at 3:24 pm

    That’s funny. Being an unfashionable person — or at least a fashion-insecure person — a workplace like this where no one is particularly well dressed would appeal to me. But perhaps that’s a response of mine to decades of poor competition with other females regarding clothes; no one wants to play at something they are bad at.

    Where I currently work, the dress code is extremely casual, and resembles even less interesting choices than depicted here, which means I fit in easily. I have noticed that women (or men actually) who do put some effort into their appearance, definitely are noticed and commented on, such as, “Wow, Jeri is always so dressed up!” or “Chris dresses really trendy.” Interestingly, these fashionable folks also tend to be the most secure and confident of my colleagues.

  • Julia writes:
    May 1st, 2011 at 5:20 pm

    I am so glad to have run across your blog! While I am not yet an engineer ( start classes in August, ME and EE ) I am a woman who had worked in male dominated industries her whole life, from starting as an auto mechanic at 16, to electrical helper in industrial construction, house painter, industrial lab tech, taxi driver, grocery stocker, automotive test driver, and currently as an instrumentation tech.

    Even now, I end up literally cross dressing 90% of the time,and NO ONE notices. I have had trouble finding work clothes that will function in a shop environment, maintain a relatively professional appearance in a meeting, and fit female curves, nevermind slight concerns like exhibiting modest feminity. I figure 2 out of 3 ain’t bad… with the first two characteristics taking priority.

    A post covering practical options for womens “real” work clothing, especially outside of business formal and business casual, would be very well received.

    Thanks, and Good Luck!
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