Passing on the baton a little less heavy

I listened to a programme a few years ago about two classes of children, one who were consistently told how clever they were, and the other praised for effort of trying, based on ‘The Perils and Promises of Praise’ by Carol Dweck*.

It turned out the first group became afraid of failure and no longer being thought of as clever, and the second group ended up overtaking them and realised their full potential, being able to problem-solve, as not getting things right straightaway was acceptable.

From school students, through university and into our careers, many of us have fallen into this first group and, at some point, have become paralysed, afraid of failure, afraid of doing wrong and, ultimately, afraid of sanctions.

One of the challenges our profession has, is to try and change people from class A type to class B. I can totally understand why it happens, our own standards we set ourselves, perceived peer pressure over the years, the client’s expectations, and threats of legal action if we get it wrong, to name but a few.

It is a tweak in our language of communication. Back as an intern in Iowa, the professor of the food animal department used to regularly say to me in discussions, ‘that’s a possibility, Melissa’ in a strong midwestern twang, basically meaning no, but well done you had a go! So I kept trying.

My toddler granddaughter is learning new things everyday and I also am trying to change my language towards her, not always well done for achieving, but praising effort just as much.

This challenge affects us all, but I’ve also been asked to write about specific challenges I’ve faced as a woman in my career. For me this has primarily been financial. I have worked for less money than men when I was an employee and did not feel able to stand up to ask for equality as, at the time, I felt I was lucky to be in a job that had been male dominated for so long.

The gender pay gap is an issue, but it is now being talked about. Many lower-skilled jobs with flexible and part-time options are predominantly seen as jobs for women. This is seen in veterinary practice too, and are often at or not much above the minimum wage. How many men applied for these jobs last time there were vacancies where you work? Yet all are essential for the smooth running of the organisation.

What we do need is good mix of genders throughout the vet team, all being paid fairly and equally for the same job specification.

Finally, the biggest challenge I have found as a woman in the veterinary profession is the juggling of career and, let’s call it, domestic duties. I know things are changing, but women are still the majority of primary carers of children and elderly or ill family members, as well as running the house.

Trying to balance work, household and ‘me’ time has got to be the hardest task and this is before any biological issues we have as a female. I don’t have a magic wand to sort this, but recognising it is a first step.

We have our pioneers of women in the profession that Kate spoke about last month and thanks to them we are a STEM career of choice for many. YOU out there reading this can make changes that have a ripple effect into the future too.

I hope all of us can pick up the challenges and pass on the baton a little less heavy to the next generation.

*“The Perils and Promises of Praise” by Carol Dweck in Educational Leadership, October 2007 (Vol. 65, #2, p. 34-39), full article available at the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development website