New York Career Trek Addresses Gender Issues

August 20, 2009 | Observer Staff | Comments 0

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By Jessica Lamberston and Samantha Watson

Career Service’s New York City Career Trek examined gender issues in an unprecedented way this January. More than 75% of alumni speakers on the trek worked on engaging women in development, tools for empowerment, and gender focused strategies. Meanwhile, the alumni discussed general career advice, family roles, accommodating settings for family issues, and work-life balance.

With gender lacking in the SAIS curriculum and gender mobility issues pertinent for SAIS faculty, the Career Trek refreshingly included organizations that are primarily focused on women’s issues and gender, with the majority of the speakers (11 out of 12) being female and in relatively high positions.

Throughout the trip, students had the opportunity to travel to different high ranking and important organizations – the very places many students will apply to once they complete their SAIS education.

The career advice given by the many individuals who spoke provided insight and support for male and female students alike. Sarina Beges, Senior Coordinator of Synergos’ Arab World Social Innovators, advised students to take at least one IDEV course, saying it was the missing piece she really wished she had from her SAIS education.

In a field so reliant on common interactions, the speakers discussed tools for utilizing already established networks, and how to form new ones. Susannah Leisher, Director of Programs at Trickle Up, discussed using her network to advance her career. While living abroad, Leisher planned a trip to the US with specific back to back meetings set up to aid in her networking, which she made clear was a necessary asset for success in any career. Be it with micro finance, international politics, or human rights relief work, connections provide the basis for interaction.

All but one of the institutions visited stressed the need for 2-3 years of consecutive experience abroad. Programs like UN Volunteers, P2 level UN positions in Peacekeeping missions, Peace Corps and the like were strongly recommended. Leisher encouraged students to “pack up and go” with or without a program. Many students felt frustrated with this advice. Given large student loan payments and the need to support one’s family, the “pack up and go” strategy seemed feasible for few.

Jane Buchanan of Human Rights Watch, Susannah Leisher of Trickle UP, and Kristina Koch-Avan from the UN all spoke about gender roles and work-life balance. Leisher described an arrangement she had made with her husband; she stayed home with her children while her husband was the breadwinner and then after a set number of years they switched roles. It was encouraging to hear this high-ranking woman speak positively about her opportunity to return to the workforce, and her husbands willingness to assume the caretaker role.

Buchanan discussed how her research trips abroad had to be shorter than previously in order to accommodate her family arrangement. She spoke highly of the willingness of Human Rights Watch to allow time for researchers freshly back from the field to attend to family care, and of their ability to accommodate schedules, both in and out of country to facilitate work-life balance.

Some students expressed concern with the trend of large sacrifices being placed upon successful and talented women. First year student Amanda Moderson-Kox recalled that the speakers discussed sacrifices they had to make and she found it disconcerting. In only one instance did it seem that the male spouse was making equal career sacrifices.

The tight balance between home and work that exists for most women in the workforce seems even more stressed for females seeking jobs in the competitive world of development and international organizations.

The Career Trek highlighted the importance of knowledge in gender theory and issues for a successful career in international relations and development. For the majority of alumni presenters, gender issues were a part of daily work. Given the meager coverage of gender issues in the SAIS curriculum, one wonders if SAISers are at a disadvantage.

At the same time, career advice demonstrated the increased burden placed on women through family roles. The young women of SAIS increasingly need an example of the capabilities of women, not the struggles. Although the Career Center’s NYC Trek provided priceless tools for the students who attended, and more fully addressed gender issues than many other areas of SAIS, it is clear that there is still a long way to go for full and fair participation for women, in both the workforce and the world.

Jessica Lamberston is a first year M.A candidate in Latin American Studies. Samantha Watson is an M.A.3 concentrating in International Policy.

Filed Under: Featured • February 2009 • News