Anonymous

London

Enterprise Architect

As a female IT architect I can confirm that macho culture is growing evermore fiercely within IT. I have some delightful colleagues, but when it comes to paying me the same ammount, or grading me as an equal, they quickly up the stakes, protest that the conditions not quite right for comparision or seek to encourage me to another area "where I might be more suited". If I propose something that is well throught through, I am challenged by male colleagues and customers to the nth degree. If instead I ask a male colleague to describe or represent my proposal, concern or advice, he will get unfettered praise.
I have had my professional integrity and advice ridiculed at customer board and my CEO level, as well as recieving inapproriate sex texts from 2 of the male advisors to this customer...only to be treated like a professional leper when my advice later proved correct. I have worked long long hours and have spent almost 5 of the last 7 years away from home, all week, every week. I love the work that I do, my company makes a lot of money out of me and keeps me constantly employed, but for the sake of my heart and longevity, I may need to leave. If so, the industry loses a dedicated, highly qualified worker and our enterprises lose a woman who will make a qualitative difference to their IT and business decisions. All because men want and get a higher professional status and rewards than their female colleague.