Research-Based Advice for Women Working in Male-Dominated Fields

2018 was a year that saw lots of progress in gender parity in particular fields. A record number of women were elected to the U.S. Congress. More women were elected to company boards than ever before. And a woman won the Nobel Prize in physics for the first time in 55 years. Yet, progress does not mean parity and women are still underrepresented in many fields. Working in a climate where you’ve been historically excluded — like in research labs, corporate boardrooms, or even Congress — can lead women to question their abilities. If you’ve taken on a new role in a male-dominated field, there are several research-based tips you can try. Journal about the stress. Instead of wasting brainpower on negative thoughts, acknowledge your fear head-on to make sense of it. Remind yourself that suffering from imposter syndrome doesn’t necessarily impact your performance. And don’t let any failures make you give up. Acknowledge what went wrong, how it can be improved, and carry those lessons into the future.