“What am I getting myself into?” A simple question that we often times ask ourselves when the going gets tough or something doesn’t go as planned. This phrase is used when we see the price of something we really want and we know we’ll find a way to put up the money even though we really can’t afford it. It’s even sometimes used sarcastically with a smirk when referring to significant others. Many people even ask themselves this question when they’re choosing a job.
There are many different tones and various settings in which “What am I getting myself into?” becomes an appropriate question. There’s also a setting where you wouldn’t first think this question would come into play—but it does everyday. It’s with women. It’s women in the workplace.
Today women are being offered jobs and they are pausing. They’re pausing because they’re smart. They’re smart enough to know they need to ask “What am I getting myself into?”
These women who are asking these questions need to know if their bosses and co-workers will treat them as equals. If they’ll be eyecandy or a valued employee. If they’ll be ignored or listened to. They need to know if they’ll be earning equal pay.
What frustrates me is that women need to ask this question to protect all that they’ve worked for and accomplished. Why should women have to go on the defense of making sure they’re getting what they deserve instead of being on the offense of shooting for the moon and stars to re-vamp the company—make it more efficient—be the CEO?
But instead women must pause and ask themselves, “What am I getting myself into?”
A company by the name of InHerSight has created a site to help women do their homework and help answer ‘the question’.
It’s a site that has reviews written by women about hundreds of companies around the world. The site serves as a community fighting to help each other dodge bullets and instead, elevate their careers.
InHerSight’s sole purpose is not just for individual women. It’s a race to change the industry. In a recent Washington Post article, Chief executive Ursula Mead says they’re “trying to build a listening platform. We think companies can evolve and change over time, and we’re trying to capture that.”
Mead’s goal is not only to give women in inside scoop, it’s also to give companies a chance to see how they’re doing—to see how they need to improve.
This isn’t a quiet, under-the-table discussion any more. See how Budweiser was recently slammed.
While I commend sites like InHerSight, I cannot help but think about how unfair it is that women have to go the extra mile to help ensure they will have a level playing field when they walk into work the first day. A women’s confidence level should not be wobbled just because she’s a she.
I would be lying if I said I wouldn’t use InHerSight on my next job search, but I sure hope my daughter will never understand why such a site was ever necessary.
Photo Credits: Marius Boatca
claire kopsky 