GENDER REPRESENTATION IN THE WORKPLACE

“I got a few emails from my friends today saying that you were asking for their resumes?” my dad inquired at the dinner table.

 

I peered up from the macaroni and cheese that I was currently concentrated on. “I want to help them find a job,” I explained with a nonchalant shoulder-shrug.

 

My passion became evident at a young age. While most third graders were playing “house,” I was playing “social entrepreneur.”

 

“Ella’s Job Assistance,” I scribbled in blue bubble letters across the poster board that had probably been in the basement for years. I taped it on the living room door so that everyone knew it was my workspace. In the corner of the room, I had my step mom’s old desk filled with post-it notes and pencils, my very own “wheely” chair, and another chair on the opposing side of the desk for my clients. I wrote appointment times on loose leaf paper and slid them under my family members’ doors so that they knew when to meet me in my office for their job consultation.

 

Even though I am not that third grader playing office, my dreams have only grown. I am Ella Petersen, a senior at Science Leadership Academy and my goal is to be the CEO of my very own company.

 

I have always been aware that there are more men that go into business. I have received my fair share of surprised faces when I explained what career I was going into.

 

Only 4% of CEO positions at S7P 500 companies are held by women, women owned firms make up 30% of all business and yet 90% of them have no employees other than herself, and women entrepreneurs are a lot less likely to be funded.

 

Through this project, I wanted to make a change. I wanted to reach the youth and let them know that no matter their gender, to follow their passions.

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This is why I reached out to these strong women: Lynn Andersson (professor at Temple University Fox School of Business), Suchetha Subramanium (student at Temple Univeristy Fox School of Business), and Yuval Yarden (worker at Philly Start-up Leaders).

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I thought they were more than qualified for the job. As teachers, students, and business women, they could bring all the perspectives needed.

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After hearing their incredible advice, a lot of my fears and doubts about being a woman in business vanished. I cannot thank them enough for coming out and inspiring Ari and I as well as the underclassmen of SLA.