THE CHOICE IS ALL YOURS
Do not let your gender limit your career, Melanie Burgess writes
Jinmi Song, beautician-turnedapprentice truck technician, TAFE Queensland student
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO YOU HAVE?
Diploma of Beauty Therapy, Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology, Certificate IV in Automotive Mechanical Diagnosis. I am now studying a Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology and a Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology at TAFE Queensland.
WHY DID YOU FIRST CHOOSE BEAUTY?
I worked at a nail shop for a little time when I was 21, in Korea, but I wasn’t able to get enough money there so I worked at a shopping mall for 10 years but wasn’t happy. My life was dull in Korea so I decided to try something new when I was 32. I came here in 2013 because I wanted to try an interesting challenge. I wasn’t speaking English very well. I was so nervous. I studied an English course for three months then learnt beauty and nails again.
WHY SWITCH TO WORKING WITH TRUCKS?
Beauty was such a great idea but it was not my purpose to be a beautician. I did it to get confidence. I was always interested in mechanics when I was younger but I didn’t have the opportunity for learning in Korea and I wasn’t able to work in a maledominated industry like here.
WHAT IS IT LIKE?
I was the only female student when I was studying for light vehicle. To work with men is not easy in a maledominated industry. Some people are curious and ask me “Can you lift a tyre up?”. Yes I can do it! I have worked for three years with my boss and three men. They teach me gently and safely. I can operate quite dangerous equipment. I can do tyres, brakes and general service for any cars. Truck tyres are bigger and heavier than me – most parts are bigger, heavier – but I try hard so am able to handle it. While I was trying anything, men were impressed so they helped me more and more. I pretty much enjoy working with men and it is worth learning and studying, so I will keep learning. It does not matter if you work with men or women, your mind is important.
GENDER segregation persists in Australian industries despite employers’ efforts to balance their workforces and increase diversity. Workplace Gender Equality Agency research reveals six out of 10 Australians work in a job that is dominated by one gender but men and women are encouraged not to limit their career options based on traditional expectations.
Those who do may be missing out on a fulfilling career and often there are benefits to being in the minority, as employers look for ways to boost innovation. The research shows there has been “very little movement” in gender segregation in the past five years, with only the professional, scientific and technical services sec- tor changing from male-dominated to mixed, and the information media and telecommunications sector changing from mixed to male-dominated.
Education and training has become even more female-dominated than it was five years ago, despite employers placing increasing emphasis on workplace diversity.
WGEA data shows almost 75 per cent of employers have an overall gender equality strategy or policy.
Career Development Association of Australia spokeswoman Rebecca Fraser says there are benefits to pursuing a career in a sector dominated by the opposite gender.
“There is such a push for organisations to have diversity targets,” she says. “When I first studied IT, there were very few women and I knew there was a high chance of me getting a job. It can absolutely help you, because you are bringing (a new perspective).
“Through diversity we get innovation … and that’s what businesses need to advance in the future.”
Fraser says gender stereotypes will always exist but more people are understanding that they can step outside of traditional expectations.
To balance the workforce, WGEA reveals more men are needed in healthcare and social assistance (80 per cent women) and education and training (63.6 per cent women), while more women are needed in mining (83.3 per cent men), construction (83 per cent men), public administration and safety (79.4 per cent men) and electricity, gas, water and waste services (75.2 per cent men).
Leadership and workplace consultancy Orgonomix director Joan Lurie knows what it is like to be in the minority, as a woman in a leadership position. She says courage is the key to working in a sector or role dominated by the opposite gender.
“(It requires courage) to step into that role and take on the system,” she says. “I think you can wire yourself for courage but … to have courage you have got to see the system you are stepping into and make a conscious choice about whether you want to take that on.
“You either are a member of the system and keep to the status quo or you deliberately step up as a challenger of the system. You step into the role for yourself or on behalf of (others) and take on the role of disrupter and not leave the system where it is.”