3 Tips for Being Successful In A Traditionally Male Industry

With gender stereotypes becoming more of a non-issue each and every day, it’s now more common than ever to see woman flooding fields that were traditionally worked in by men previously. But while it may be easier and more acceptable for women to work in male-dominated industries where hard labor is expected, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be any easier to break through those glass ceilings and hold the same positions and respect that men naturally have in these areas. So to help bridge these gaps once and for all, here are three tips that may help women to become successful in a traditionally male industry.

Make Your Voice Heard

Whether you’re working out on a job site or in a more corporate setting, women have the right and responsibility to make themselves heard even if their voices are small. However, this can be a very intimidating task to take on, especially if you don’t have much experience making your voice heard. To help with this, Carol Kinsey Goman, a contributor to Forbes.com, recommends that women break the ice early on in a meeting or group setting so that they get used to speaking in this setting. Saying almost anything will get you more comfortable voicing your thoughts or opinions instead of sitting back and letting the meeting move forward without you sharing your ideas.

Think Before Offering Service

For many women, it’s second nature to be helpful and offer thoughtful acts of service to those around you. And while this may be something you’re used to doing, Jane Fang, a contributor to The Muse, recommends thinking before you do this at your place of business. If the men you work with see you going out of your way to bring someone coffee or pick up the slack for them, it may soon become something that’s expected of you. This can undermine your ability to perform the actual work that you’re there to do. While this doesn’t mean that you should be unkind to others, you may want to just take a moment to consider how your actions might be viewed by those who may not be as accepting of you.

Know The Difference Between Being Aggressive And Assertive

Men and women generally have different characteristics when it comes to high-level personality traits. For example, many men find it easier to be assertive. In some instances, when women seek to become more assertive as well, it can actually be more akin to aggression. And according to Diana Rodriguez-Zaba, a contributor the Huffington Post, this is something you should seek to learn the difference between. While it’s good to be assertive and go after what you want, you don’t want to appear too aggressive and create more problems for yourself in the future because of it.  

If you’re working in an industry that has been traditionally worked in by men, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you find your place in this field as a woman.