Recently, I came across a gal who had been studying anthropology for years now at various universities. She mentioned that her young family had suffered while she studied. Her young husband was supporting them all as a struggling chef. Pragmatic me, asked her about employment possibilities. Yikes.......not good.
Women in America make an average of 23% lower wages than men do, yet they have that extra shift, the night shift when they are doing the laundry, cooking, shopping, cleaning. You know the drift.
In this economic situation, which doesn't look like getting any better any time soon, what would you advise?
If I had daughters in high school right now, and if they asked me what would I advise to do as a career to ensure a steady income and some independence.
My advice would be, look at the trades. Become a welder, iron worker, transit worker, medical, manufacturing, organic farming, cottage industries. Something that is traditionally male dominated, and be better than the guys. I was a project manager for an international construction company and was astounded that there were no other females on these huge projects including the San Francisco Airport Remodel. The only woman was a safety officer who played power games with the men, unfortunately.
My other advice to daughters, get your own place to live no matter how small. Secure it as a refuge from family distractions and a place to recover.
What would be your advice to high school daughters?
3 comments:
I taught my daughter, who taught her daughter, that no one will ever take care of you the way you will take care of yourself. Rely on no one for your future, work hard and you'll be fine. Simplistic? Maybe. But true.
According to 2011 stats, women do make only 77 cents on the dollar when compared to men for comparable work. Also, only 55 percent of the college graduates can get jobs requiring a college degree. The workers today will expect to change jobs every 5 years. Fifty percent of all marriages fail.
Being a woman has limited me at times for a while, but I did my very best and worked my way up from the lower levels. I used every job, volunteer or paid, educational and personal experience, and every learning opportunity, to step up to the next position. It was difficult, but it was worth it. I don't believe everyone must have college, but continuing education is good. A trade can be learned, on the job, all the while taking outside courses. Whatever you decide to do, look around for trends, and research what pays well.
I have no children, but I would advise the next generation to use every experience as a stepping stone to the next, and not to go backwards if at all possible, keep progressing. Some things that worked for me are:
Have respect for yourself, and others by being on time.
Do your work, like you mean it, with intent.
Build on your experience, get an education or training and never stop learning.
Evaluate yourself regularly, and acquire new skills as necessary.
Keep your head down and keep doing your best at all times.
Leave the socializing for after five o'clock.
Don't be afraid to take a calculated risk;
Pay yourself first;
Think first;
Ask intelligent questions.
Always keep a little out of every paycheck that no one knows of but you;
Your first job is to earn the money; your second job is to manage it;
Try and keep a positive outlook;
Plan for the worse, but expect the best;
Doing things for oneself is very satisfying;
No one can take away your education;
No one can make you feel worthless or use you unless you let them;
Remain flexible so you won’t get bent out of shape;
Sometimes a sense of humor is a valuable asset in difficult times;
Common sense is not so common, become extraordinary.
So well said, Sally
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