Being a successful entrepreneur or looking to progress within a certain career pathway can feel like there are so many different types of obstacles blocking our ability to progress. The work is never done, and if you are looking at changing your career or you are thinking about a potential pathway, it’s important to first understand what you’re good at, but also how you want to make a specific impact in an industry, not just as a person, but as a woman.
We shouldn’t have to break down doors to be treated equally; however, there is still industry sexism and the potential to feel like a second-class citizen. It’s important to be discerning and ensure that we have an understanding of the best industries for women to break into. So let’s show you some industries where women can dominate in a male-dominated environment but also the fastest-growing industries.
Construction
The construction industry has seen a major rise in female employees. A study conducted shows that women employed in the construction industry amount to 14%, an all-time high! As the industry continues to search for new talent, there is an opportunity to join, not just as a construction worker, but in a variety of other ways as well, ensuring that you can make an impact in an industry.
A typical career path in any industry is to start at the bottom, and while there are jobs such as clerks or admin assistants, there is more than just encouraging some burly guy to fill out their construction time sheet, and in fact, there are so many different roles that can benefit from a female approach. Project managers, architects, and even plumbers or electricians can benefit from a female tact, which is more methodical, considered, and can result in a far better outcome for women.
The Technology Sector
There’s been a big demand for computer programming. There have been so many initiatives offering well-paid jobs but also numerous routes, that it can be a great industry for women to make their mark in. Cast your mind back to a few years ago, and the IT industry was infinitely replete with males who unfortunately conformed to the standard stereotype of IT experts: condescending, awkward, and more than a little frustrating to deal with.
This is why there’s been a big demand, not just for people to fill roles in an industry that is consistently increasing in volume, but it’s an industry that desperately needs to diversify. The big draw for so many is undoubtedly is its pay; it’s one of the highest-paid industries in the entire world, and while this used to mean there was a very tough trajectory because there are many organizations that literally provide courses for people to do and there’s the promise of a job at the end of it, it can be an amazing opportunity for everyone.
Of course, in order to be able to work in computer programming and its various offshoots means having a very specific understanding of the outset. Being well-versed in mathematics is incredibly useful, and anybody who has a background in accounting or deals with numbers can invariably find themselves with a head start, but that’s not to say those who don’t have those skills are going to struggle. Learning a multitude of computer languages can be overwhelming, but for those who have the determination to apply themselves, the sky’s the limit. Currently, approximately 1/3 of all computing roles in the technology sector are occupied by women, which is an excellent statistic to build upon!
Engineering
Engineering is a traditionally male-dominated sector. However, the engineering industry is actively looking to increase the representation of women in technical roles. In the US, the government provided a STEM initiative that encouraged women to pursue STEM degrees, which will lead to more women in engineering positions. What’s more, there are a variety of engineering companies that are worldwide brands; for example, BP and Siemens.
Engineering is a very lucrative role. It can provide a career progression that ultimately bypasses a lot of others because of the very specific nature of the role. Engineering is something that requires a variety of skills that are a combination of technical and soft skills. Many people who work in engineering can lack the ability to communicate and convey complex technical information or work and collaborate with different teams to complete engineering projects.
While the ability to solve problems and have up-to-date technical knowledge is essential, this is only one side of the equation because it requires those soft skills and thinking creatively and coming up with innovative solutions. Employers are continually looking for candidates who can bring fresh ideas and innovative approaches to engineering projects. What’s more, it requires self-discipline, as engineers are often faced with challenging tests. While in an industry, such as computer programming, there may not necessarily be a need for soft skills, engineering is a very technical skill, like computer programming, but requires so much more, which can be a boon for women looking for something that is a combination of various skills that makes them feel far more at home.
Healthcare
While women do make up a massive majority of the healthcare industry—77% of all healthcare workers are women—for those who are not necessarily looking for a traditional healthcare role like a pharmacist, nurse, or doctor, there is the potential for executive and leadership roles to be dominated by women.
More healthcare organisations are prioritising gender equality, and many aspects of the healthcare industry are still male-dominated. There can be the potential to view women as being more subservient and therefore taking on those stereotypical roles. For any woman out there who is looking to challenge the status quo and utilise their innate abilities to care, working in leadership roles in healthcare can be an excellent career progression.
Finance
The number of women in senior positions in financial authorities has increased over the last few years. While the financial industry, in general, is pretty well split between men and women, there can be the opportunity to progress to more lucrative roles. Working in the financial industry can embody a number of different skills and practices. For example, there is, of course, the mathematical side of things, but in the financial industry now, there is a greater focus on delivering excellent customer service.
There’s also the investigative nature of finance that has increased in volume over the last few years. There are more financial crimes such as fraud, which requires the ability to investigate cases and to react swiftly to fraudulent activities. While the financial industry can feel like a practice with very strict parameters because of numerous financial regulations and rules, there is a greater holistic practice at play as well, especially in those performing investigative roles. It requires a multitude of soft skills as well as financial acumen.
What’s more, the financial industry can also encompass more human-oriented roles such as financial advisors, which can be a very specific aspect of the industry that is also lucrative.
Piloting
According to Women in Aviation International, women only make up 8.4% of total pilots. Piloting is a job that has been particularly male-dominated. However, for those women looking to buck the trend of women purely as being a flight attendant, they can utilise this statistic to their advantage.
Arguably, there’s a benefit of working up in this industry, potentially going from an in-flight attendant to working in air traffic control and finally being a pilot. This will offer a diverse experience of the industry itself. There are so many key skills required, from the technical to the mathematical, as well as decision-making, leadership, self-discipline, confidence, and situational awareness.
As a role, a pilot can do so much for mind, body, and soul, as aspiring pilots have to meet specific health and fitness requirements. Pursuing a career in the aviation industry will provide women with the opportunity to go toe to toe with males in an industry that has long been due for an overhaul. Developing the necessary range of skills may take time, but for those pursuing any career in the aviation industry, it can be infinitely rewarding, not just financially but culturally, as women can strive to make their mark within this type of industry.
These industries have all made changes to bring women on board; however, there is still a lot of work ahead. Those who are looking to change careers can easily find themselves put off by the volume of males in any industry. However, we have to remember that there is a balance to be had in choosing an industry that suits our skills but also is one that requires breaking down the barriers of old-fashioned thinking and perceptions about women. There are industries ripe for women to break into and these are only a few, and while there are still many out there that are hiring more women like the police and fire services, there is still a lot to be done.
