I think it is about time I bring up the topic of being a woman in STEM. I just had my interview with Ms. Ries who is the Vice President of Rates & Regulatory Affairs at Atmos Energy. Atmos Energy is one of the largest companies that distribute natural gas across the country of America.
She shared many stories discussing her experiences back when she began studying engineering. The engineering classes at the time were so uneven that at certain times, Ms. Ries was the only woman in the lecture(or in her words "a fish out of water", and professors or people of higher positions would make many gender-biased comments. Though I haven't completely experienced such a thing firsthand, it completely aligns with what I have noticed in the field along with the basic presumptions of how women are treated. It just astonished me to get a look at the possibility of being an engineer as a woman but I know for a fact that won't scare me away from doing something I will enjoy.
When I asked Ms. Ries how she handles such a situation, she claimed she just let these comments slide and didn't let her down. In the professional world, sexist comments, unless very derogatory, should be overlooked because calling them out may as well cost you your job.
On the other hand, Ms. Ries also noted one perk of being the only woman there. It makes you stand out and help make a team more "diverse". However bigoted that may be, that is the world we live in so best use it!
This entire conversation with Ms. Ries was crucial in the understanding of my future in the field as a female, but I know for a fact that I will not let that pull me down but instead use it to my advantage!
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