To explore how careers, collaboration, and expectations have evolved over time, we asked 3 women of different generations to reflect on their journeys into the workforce, the support they’ve found along the way, and what they hope the future holds. Read part one here.
Meet our women:
Susan Fisher Plotner, Baby Boomer, began her career in 1980, after graduating from Brown University.
Kristen Butts, PE, Millennial, began her career in 2006 after graduating from The Pennsylvania State University.
Alexa Fiorica, Gen Z, began her career in 2023 after graduating from Fairfield University.
When have you felt the most support from peers? Is there any kind of support you wish you had more of at any time in your career?
Susan (Boomer): As we learned during last year’s JEDI session, recognition and support are essential for each of us, regardless of gender. I do wish I had had a female mentor early in my career but, at the time, women were working too hard for themselves and their own visibility.
Kristen (Millennial): I have generally felt supported throughout my career. I have had few instances where I did not feel supported, but interestingly those instances came from women, not men. Women can set a high bar for themselves and others which can feel critical at times.
Alexa (Gen Z): I’ve felt an equal amount of support from both my female and male colleagues. I feel most supported when I’m able to ask questions without judgement. I’ve never felt stupid asking anyone questions, in fact these questions are welcomed. I do wish I got more general feedback/criticism – for me, it’s a great way to get an idea of where I’m at or if there’s something I’m lacking in. Feedback also gives me the extra opportunity to have a conversation and ask for help if it’s something I’m particularly struggling with.
What are your hopes for the future of women in the workplace and have any of these been realized?
Susan (Boomer): I hope that the conversation becomes unnecessary! We are chipping away at it little by little.
Kristen (Millennial): My hopes for the future of women in the workplace is that women remind themselves to support each other. We are in this together.
Alexa (Gen Z): I hope that one day things are so good we won’t even need to have conversations about them. That it’s just a normal thing that women go into engineering without wondering whether they’ll be able to handle the field when they graduate. That we don’t need to get on calls and wonder whether something said was just a passing remark or meant in poor taste. I do think normalizing the kinds of conversations we are having and speaking out about our experiences is how we move toward it. We can’t get there without addressing the issues women are currently facing today. In that regard, I think we’re on the right track.
Being the youngest generation of the 3, Alexa asked: When does it get easier?
Susan (Boomer): With time, one becomes more confident or at least less bothered by things that were very bothersome when just starting out. Learning to seek and rely on support from more experienced and successful staff is key to navigating workplace and career challenges, no matter how far along you are in your career.
Kristen (Millennial): Life, whether at work or at home, will always have things that require attention. The question is whether we let those things manage us, or do we manage them. I have found that carving time out for myself daily has helped me reset and be ready for the rest of the day. This may sound like easier said than done, but find a time, make it non-negotiable, and communicate it to others. When clear boundaries are communicated to the world around you, there is sometimes push back, but at the end of the day, they are generally respected.
What changes have you seen in technology?
Susan (Boomer): Ha! I was working for American Express in 1994 when I was pregnant with my second son. When I left on maternity leave, we did not have email yet! Technology changes much faster now than ever before. It is incumbent upon each of us to stay ahead of the curve or, at the very least, current.
Kristen (Millennial): Technology changes, and if you’re not on board, you could get left behind.
Alexa (Gen Z): I think it’s interesting to see how far technology’s come even from my perspective. I started using an iPad in the classroom in 8th grade, and continued to use them through high school and college. I saw projectors being introduced to the classroom, and then later LED screens. There was an expectation that we always needed to be able to use and take advantage of new tech and software as it emerged. Although I do think it’s interesting for some reason family seems to have conflated being an electrical engineer with being their personal technical support.
