What is your field/job?
Director of Institutional Effectiveness for a small, private college. Institutional research largely consists of data analysis of student outcomes to evaluate program effectiveness in a college or university.
What lead you to that field/job?
In college, I took all the pre-med classes because I thought I might want to be a doctor. But when it came time to start studying for the MCAT, I felt like all the wind had gone out of my sails. Those classes had been tough for me, and I felt terrified of the test, of medical school, of the career. Instead, I got interested in public health. It seemed like a softer and more accessible version of medicine, and certainly an easier path to a graduate degree. That’s a terrible way to describe a very complicated and worthy field, but there you have it. Along the way, I learned how to use some really cool data analysis tools, and statistical analysis and data visualization quickly became my favorite part of my work. I stumbled upon a job posting for a data analyst within a major university’s institutional research office, and found that my research skills from epidemiology transferred beautifully to higher education.
Did you experience any push-back or specific encouragement from teachers, parents, mentors in pursuing this field or other fields because of your gender?
I think I was my own limiting factor in pursuing medicine. I had been complimented on my writing skills as a kid, and math and science didn’t seem to come naturally to me. My mom definitely encouraged me to pursue a career in journalism over anything in the sciences; I deliberately loaded up on all the pre-med chemistry, calculus, and biology courses in college in part just to prove to us both that I could do it.
In the process of acquiring education or certification for your job, did you experience challenges that are probably specific to a females pursuing that education/certification?
No. In MPH programs, women actually far outnumber men. There were also no particular challenges to me as a woman pursuing my post-graduate certificate in institutional research.
Although careers within data analysis in general are dominated by men, and higher education administration is also still dominated by men, institutional research is one of the few areas in higher education administration where women are actually very well represented (still underpaid compared to men, but…). The comfortableness of relative gender equity in my field is one reason (of many) that I’ve been hesitant to leave academia for potentially higher-paying data analysis opportunities in the corporate world.
What do you like about what you do? What is a good day/week/experience for you professionally?
I love helping faculty and administrators make decisions based on real evidence to improve college students’ outcomes and experiences. I like the idea of holding an institution accountable for the ways in which it serves the students. I like asking tough questions, like “Are we providing enough resources to first-generation college students?” or “How can we use course evaluations to make instructors as effective as possible?” and then using data to find answers. A good day is when I have research findings that can translate to tangible support for or push-back to a topic of discussion that previously hinged on gut feelings or anecdotal evidence.
Can you identify any challenges currently in your field that are specific to you being a female?
Not really for me personally, but use of data analysis software seems to be somewhat unequal in the field. In my experience, more women than men entering the field bring strong research methodology and passion for higher education, but lack exposure to the most efficient analysis tools. If you’re not as tech-savvy as others in the field, it can be severely limiting to both the individual and the institution.
What do you do when you find yourself in a situation that feels sexist or threatening?
Well this is depressing to admit, but I generally don’t do anything. I’ve had the very common experience of being asked to take notes or make copies for someone I don’t work for, presumably because I’m a younger woman. Recently when this has happened, I’ve made it a point to awkwardly hesitate before agreeing to do the mundane task. The older men then seem to feel compelled to say something like, “I mean, I know it’s not your job and I’m sure you’re busy…” before trailing off and walking away.
My first year out of college was full of sexist workplace encounters that, at the time, hardly even registered on me as anything but mildly unpleasant and totally normal. To cover rent and student loans, I was juggling three outrageously low-paying jobs that were all rampant with sexism: receptionist for a construction company, barista, and lifeguard. I’m pretty sure I just smiled politely at every turn.
I bet I even blushed when the CEO of the construction company winked as he told me that he noticed my dress yesterday was “very, VERY nice looking” and suggested I wear it again next week. While I never wore that dress again, I know for a fact I thanked him profusely when he offered to “hunt down” my ex-boyfriend when I tendered my resignation to move to California. (How caring of him to pry into my relationship status and find that a break up had triggered my job change!).
Direct confrontation is not in my nature or upbringing, even when I’m appalled by something, and I will probably always struggle with that.
What is the general tone in your field now for women versus when you first started?
I’ve only been in institutional research for about 6 years, and I don’t think the field has changed. What’s changed for me is the type of institution I work for. When I first started, I was in a large office of 20 institutional researchers, half of whom were women (including the director). I never experienced any difference in tone toward women vs. men.
In my current role at a small, private college, I’m the only institutional researcher. Here, I have the issue of other department heads not quite understanding what I do, and therefore occasionally interpreting my position as one of an administrative assistant rather than a hierarchical equal. This mistake is likely made not just because I’m a woman, but also because of an assumption that I’m too young to be in a director role. Also, it may be a product of regional difference – I started IR work in California, and now I’m in the Midwest.
How do you manage fears of professional or personal retaliation when you push back against sexist or threatening professional interactions?
Unfortunately, I don’t really. When I was younger and in different jobs, I did not feel equipped to make any kind of complaint against anyone. Even working in a coffee shop, when a male customer came on too strong, I never really pushed back (“the customer is always right,” after all). If it was a regular customer, I would just make it a point to switch places with a coworker so that I’d be in the back of the kitchen instead of out front when he came in.
I’m lucky now to be in a professional position where this is hardly an issue, so I haven’t had to think through a reaction or its consequences.
Do you communicate with other women in your field?
Yes, I attend regional and national conferences for my field where I can exchange ideas with other women. I also keep in touch with people from my previous office.
Do you have any advice for women entering your field now?
Seek thorough training on several different statistical analysis packages, survey platforms, and data visualization tools. Get comfortable with programming languages and basic html coding. Don’t be intimidated by the IT side of the field.
Lady Words 