Women’s careers: changing attitudes

Neither prejudice nor self-effacement

Virginie Bonnaillie-Noël, CNRS senior researcher (mathematics section) at the DMA, ENS Paris, said of her career so far: “Many initiatives have been undertaken to promote gender equality in my field, but it is still too early to measure their impact. We must keep up our presence among young people to show that women and men can have scientific careers.”

“I don’t feel like I’ve encountered any particular obstacles in my career. I have never thought ‘I’m a woman, I can’t do that’. On the other hand, I have often accepted requests along the lines of ‘can you come? We need a woman’.”

Maïva Ropaul, management lecturer at Université Paris Descartes, encouraged women students to assert themselves:

“As long as I was in the cocoon of ENS (as a student, then as a teacher), I didn’t notice any particular obstacles. I had teachers and colleagues who were careful about equality between their students, whatever the potential criterion for discrimination.

We really must avoid being self-effacing. It’s important to take on board advice about personality traits traditionally associated with women: don’t be shy; don’t hesitate to put yourself forward or to speak louder to make yourself heard. Don’t let your ambitious and unscrupulous colleagues walk all over you. Don’t devote yourself to the institution more than your male colleagues would.”

Supporting the transition into research careers

However, Dr Ropaul acknowledged that the situation is unsatisfactory when it comes to academic career advancement and made suggestions for improvement.

“The transition from PhD to an academic position is problematic. Many female candidates are lost during this phase. Specific training could be offered at doctoral schools to the women PhD students who want it... and why not during their careers, if the disparities are so significant between women and men who are already in academic positions.

To give you an example, the European Economics Association has established a committee called “Women in Economics” (WinE), which runs an annual retreat for early-career women economists (postdocs, researchers and lecturers).
Participants take part in a series of discussions on topics such as getting published, grant writing, networking and career planning, with special attention paid to the unique challenges that women can face at various stages in their careers.

A spirit of healthy competition, irrespective of gender

Olivia-Leslie Loubière works in business as Strategic Planning Manager at Dior Couture. She emphasized the personal qualities of self-confidence, motivation and passion for your job.

“Irrespective of gender, our first strength in the professional world is the confidence we have in our talent, in what we have accomplished and in what we are capable of accomplishing.

“My first years in business, on a steep learning-curve in very demanding environments, reminded me how important it is to have a spirit of healthy competition, which the preparation for the ENS entrance exam and for the agrégation developed very well.

“Both during your studies and once you’ve started a business career, getting closer to inspiring people and mentors, both women and men, also helps maintain your essential passion for your job.”