What it’s like working in the field as a female technician?
Field technician workers are primarily responsible for providing on-site services related to their field of expertise.
Their specific duties may vary depending on the industry they work in but often include tasks like installing and maintaining equipment, diagnosing and repairing problems, conducting tests and inspections, and providing training or support to customers or clients.
Historically, these jobs have been dominated by men, but things are definitely changing as more women show an interest in working in the field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, only about 2% of construction equipment operators and 9% of electrical and electronics repairers were women as of 2020.
Still, even with more efforts to improve gender equality, the change happens slowly. Furthermore, some fields are more accepting than others, so the data doesn’t show growth in all areas. Not to mention that women working in male-dominated fields tend to have a tough time.
So, let’s see what it’s like to break barriers and shake the status quo in men-dominated industries as a female technician.
How many female technicians are there?
Female technicians can be found in most fields, such as telecommunications, electronics, IT services, HVAC companies, the energy sector, and so on. In fact, most companies and industries have at least several female technician employees.
However, this doesn’t mean we’ve solved the gender equality problem. We’re just starting, and the change is happening at a snail’s pace.
Women are underrepresented in fields of high importance, such as IT (only 19% of software developers are women in the US), construction (9.9% female workers), engineering (only 7.8% of aerospace engineers are women), and other fields.
The reasons behind this slow-paced change are multifaceted and come under societal expectations and gender stereotypes, education and training opportunities, lack of role models, and work environment and culture.
Plus, in many areas of the world, women have the main role when it comes to caring for children and the household. Therefore, life as a field technician, which requires irregular hours, doesn’t quite fit in.
Luckily, due to the use of specialized tools like all-in-one field service management applications, companies can now optimize their field technicians working hours. These tools also allow companies to work around their employees’ availability based on the data they have in the system.
Also, there are career paths where you don’t have to respond to emergency issues, like engineering or IT. These jobs require regular working hours, so it’s easier to have some work-life balance.
What it’s like working in the field as a female technician?
Depending on how you see it, working as a female technician can be rewarding or challenging. But, in most circumstances, it’s both.
First of all, many of the jobs you can get as a field technician come with a stable income and attractive bonuses. For instance, becoming an electrician is quite a lucrative career that comes with lots of benefits, including work satisfaction and problem-solving.
Being a field technician, you get to work hands-on and see the real impacts of your work, which is extremely rewarding. Plus, there is a wide range of opportunities available in technical fields, which allows for varied and interesting work
Last but not least, you get to break down stereotypes and be a role model for other women who want to follow a similar path.
On the side of challenges, the first one that comes to mind is gender bias. Women technicians face biases from colleagues, clients, or management who unconsciously believe technical roles are better suited for men.
Additionally, being one of the few, or perhaps the only woman, on a team might lead to feelings of isolation. Also, depending on the sector, field-technician roles often require long hours, travel, or physical labor, which could interfere with personal responsibilities such as family care if not managed well.
It’s important to stand up for yourself
Working in the field as a female technician comes with some extra challenges, but if this is what you want, it’s important to stand up for yourself. Your experiences will vary significantly according to your field and the company you work for.
You also have to account for other factors, such as geographic location, specific industry/sector, company culture, and more. Moreover, many companies today are making strides toward more diversity in such roles and focus on fostering a culture that’s supportive of all genders.
