It's very frustrating to me as a college student just starting to dip into the world of internships and careers that being defined as a "feminist" can have a negative effect on my job application. Apparently in the business community being a feminist means a crazed activist more bent on all-encompassing social change than on doing well in her job. I found this out from my mother, of all people, someone who I would absolutely consider a feminist.
I am currently a cultural anthropology major/Spanish minor at a small liberal arts college, and because my focus tends to be on feminist thought and how it affects my areas of study, I thought about adding a Fem Studies minor. Because I love and respect my mom, I called to ask her if she thought I could do it (although intelligent, I'm not exactly known for my study skills). And yes, she did warn me about loading myself with too many classes considering my schedule already. But the other part of her warning had to do with the actual fem studies minor. She said that's not something I would be able to put on my resume because most employers will see "Feminist Studies" and shy away from that candidate. So add the minor if you really want to, she said, but be careful about where and when you advertise it.
In the end, I decided not to add the minor because I would get overwhelmed by the course load of a major and double minor. But it upsets me that my mother's main caution was that being seen as a feminist could cause someone to pass me over for a job despite my strong academic and extracurricular record. To me, being a feminist just means not succumbing to the objectification of my sex in the way that is expected of me. I definitely do not fit the "feminist" stereotype--I wear makeup and like to wear cute lingerie (for my pleasure and no one else's), I'm in a sorority, and I'm pathetically addicted to Project Runway. But I'm definitely a feminist in other ways. Why does that say to some people that I'm not worth their time?
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While I see that your mother definitely has your best interests at heart, I'd like to hope that things are changing. Slowly but surely. I'm a sophomore in college, and during my lunch i was working on an essay i was writing. The essay was about feminism, and when a lot of my coworkers started talking to me, i was a little hesitant to say what i was writing about. Well my manager said something, but complimented me on being a feminist, and was like "wow, so cool!" the only negative reaction I got was from one of my few female co-workers who said "I don't believe in feminism." While I dont think the reaction I got from my managers is one you will always get, I think that good managers/bosses have respect for people who stick to their beliefs and convictions.
Great post! Nothing is wrong with being a feminist! Be yourself on your resume and follow your heart. Say eventually that you apply for some jobs at some women's organizations and that having this stuff on your resume will be good. Who knows... maybe you will create your own organization as so many of us woman are doing these days! We have the power! :0)
I agree: great post.
I consider myself a feminist because I believe in equal opportunities for males and females alike.
I am often disheartened when I hear people saying "I hate feminists", but I guess that they are entitled to their own opinions.
Anyway, I recently discovered a book that you might be interested in. It is called "Justice, Gender, and Affirmative Action" by Susan Clayton and Faye Crosby (1992). It basically suggests that women are motivated to not perceive discrimination against themselves in the classroom and workplace. Maybe this explains why people are so hostile to the idea of feminism; because we perceive that we have achieved equality and so do not need to worry about gender equality..
If it makes you feel any better, my mom's response to my decision to declare a Women's Studies minor was "Why would you want to do that? Everyone will think you're a lesbian." She then proceeded to tell me basically what your mom told you. Don't get me wrong, my mom is all kinds of awesome, and I would totally consider her and her mom feminists. She just grew up in a time and place in which calling yourself a "feminist" was utterly unacceptable.
That said, I don't really think your mom's response had anything to do with her opinions on the merits of feminist studies. I think her point was more that society hasn't quite caught up to you, and, at least in some cases, she's probably right. It's not unreasonable to consider the effect that a Feminist Studies minor might have on your application, despite the fact that in an ideal world, it wouldn't have any negative effect. I am glad, though, that it wasn't the main basis for your decision not to minor. Hopefully mine won't hurt me when I get out of school.
as someone who got her BA in gender studies and her MA in women's and gender studies, i can completely identify with a lot of what you are saying. there was a time in undergrad when i started telling people i was studying sociology just to avoid the litany of irritating and offensive questions and comments. but i learned that these are actually usually really great teaching moments, and some of the best conversations ive had about feminism have been at awkward family functions with long-lost cousins or in bars with dudes that are hitting on me when they ask, "so, what do you do?"
at my current job, i was blatantly asked if i identify as a feminist. and my answer in an unhesitating affirmative was part of the reason i was so highly considered for the job. it's possible to find support out there in the work force, i promise. and you dont have to settle for working in an environment that would in any way think less of you for your political, personal, social, etc affiliations.
I understand your hesitance. I earned my BA in Women's Studies and Spanish and I am currently in grad school and seeking employment. I had a lot of trouble building my resume because in addition to my degree, most of my other relevant experiences were feminist-related and I wasn't sure how that would be perceived. I'm looking for high school substitute teaching work, so I am cautious about seeming too "political."
On one hand, I want to just be myself and say fuck'em if they don't like it. But the reality is that I need a job and I can't be too brazen without having doors close in my face.
If at all possible, I would recommend going for whatever education and experiences you want. Then when you are building your resume, try to find out a little info about the person who'll be reviewing it and tweak your resume to what you think they would respond best.
I brought two copies of my resume with me when I went to apply for a job (one that emphasized my feminist background and one that didn't). The women I met with seemed pretty cool and progressive, so I gave them the feminist resume. Seemed to have worked well for me.