An interesting result of all this is we take all that experience/knowledge/etc with us, but are still restarting things. Making for some interesting discrepancies.
Example: I am a computer programmer and now at an entry level position in my field. People at my workplace are still getting used to the fact that this jr. programmer has used practically every language she has ever heard of.
Why an entry level position? Did your previous employers or schools refuse to change your records to reflect your identity? It sucks how often that happens. It does not matter how much you know, but how much you can prove that you know from employment history and academic credentials. That means that a person who knows little with a paper trail gets precedence over self taught experts. This provides one more example of classism as poor folks have trouble paying for that paper trail while libraries provide free access to a lot of knowledge.
Mostly because the IT field was hit hard in this area. Right after I went full-time I lost my job (a story in itself!) and could not find work for nearly 3 years (except for a month or two at a temp job). Over that time I decided I wanted to move more into nonprofit work. After not getting hired at countless jobs I was more than a good match for I wound up taking what I could get to move into the field. While the major reason was the economy, I am sure my trans-ness did not help (I have *never* not gotten a job offer after an interview before).
Misogyny may also factor in. Far too many men doubt the ability of women in technical jobs or hold ridiculous double standards even in this day and age. Combine that with trans-ness and job hunting can quickly become intolerable. Congratulations on finally finding a job even though you remain underemployed that beats unemployed.
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Example: I am a computer programmer and now at an entry level position in my field. People at my workplace are still getting used to the fact that this jr. programmer has used practically every language she has ever heard of.
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Why an entry level position? Did your previous employers or schools refuse to change your records to reflect your identity? It sucks how often that happens. It does not matter how much you know, but how much you can prove that you know from employment history and academic credentials. That means that a person who knows little with a paper trail gets precedence over self taught experts. This provides one more example of classism as poor folks have trouble paying for that paper trail while libraries provide free access to a lot of knowledge.
Thanks,
Lorrraine
Reply
Reply
Misogyny may also factor in. Far too many men doubt the ability of women in technical jobs or hold ridiculous double standards even in this day and age. Combine that with trans-ness and job hunting can quickly become intolerable. Congratulations on finally finding a job even though you remain underemployed that beats unemployed.
Thanks,
Lorrraine
Reply
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