Gender Roles in Careers - Interview

Recently, students of O-levels studying in Beacon House Lahore were assigned a Global Perspective (GP) project related to “Gender Roles in Careers” from Cambridge Board. 

The purpose of this project as described by students is;

“We wish to raise awareness about the negative impacts of gender roles in careers, and how they can restrict the number of career options a person has, solely on the basis of their gender.

On a personal level, this can lead to people not following their dreams, and on a larger scale, the economy may be negatively affected, as careers will become very segregated and restricted, with less workers in certain fields.”

They came across strong recommendations from their fellows to speak and interview Ms. Madeeha Khan Yousafzai (myself), as they spoke highly of her skills as a Career Coach.

This interview is submitted at Cambridge Board, UK and will be internally published. We also have decided to share this insightful and inspiring piece with all of you.

Let’s get started to know more about Madeeha’s journey and her thoughts for questions around our key topic;

1 - How long have you worked as a career coach?

I am working as career coach since 2012 and since 2016 till today, I have added dimensions of Professional Development, Personal Excellence, Performance Coaching, And Emotional Intelligence Coaching.

2 - In your experience, do men and women tend to lean more towards certain career options? If so, why do you think this is?

When it comes to coaching, we coach people regardless client is a man or woman. I am glad to see that men and women both are self-aware to make their career choices and live their passion and achieve the desired goals.

3 - Do you think people often feel pressure from their families and society to choose certain types of careers, even if they personally are not interested in them?

Yes it happens, they feel pressure out of respect for their elders and by seeing if society will accept them or object on them. This is how our brains are conditioned due to social factors. But nothing to worry here or to make forceful choices, as through effective coaching it can be changed. We as human beings are in control to re-wire our brains, towards changing habits and to communicate effectively if there is any gap in one person's understanding with its surroundings. A person can ensure to respect his/her family, his/her society and also to ensure that they respect and understand mutually for choices a person wants to make. Coaching enables everyone to think logically and yet to connect with others empathically .

4 - Have you ever encountered someone who is facing trouble in achieving their dream career because of traditional gender roles? If so, could you please tell us more about such people and what difficulties they have to face?

Well, yes people face issues and mostly it is self-limiting beliefs rather traditional gender roles. My clients are located across the globe and I have seen this phenomenon exists in one form or other. We have so many inspiring examples where men and women have set the benchmark that anything is possible provided, it doesn't harm ecology at any level.

Everyone or anyone can face different set of difficulties, and the key to success is patience, determination and strong desire to live their dream career.

5 - Do you think men and women should only choose certain types of careers, and why?

As a person, and as a professional both, I have learned, and I am being trained to facilitate people to maximize their potential and keep exploring it. As one person can never find what is his/her potential limits till he/she tests it. Amazingly, the more we take and embrace challenges, we keep stretching our potential limits and this is what keeps us going on.

Therefore, men and women both may choose any type of career and to excel into it if they are passionate about it.

6 - In your experience, do employers discriminate against potential employees on the basis of gender, even if the person has the necessary skills to get the job?

Well, in my last 11 years of professional experience and observations and input from other people, this discrimination has been there. Nonetheless, time is changing now and so are these subjective trends. Employers and Employees are becoming mindful of their choices, talents, skills and value they offer. Access to information for global trends and good ethical fair practices is now in reach of all of us, so my humble advice to all readers is to make the best out of this information and live a life full of integrity by respecting ecology to own-self, to others, to society and to our planet. Thank you.

If you wish to connect with Madeeha Khan, here it is;

• Linkedin: www.dhirubhai.net/in/madeehakhanyousafzai
• Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/madeehakhanyousafzai.mentor.coach
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCtdObK6O09m9MgQ3YCwkiHQ
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/mentor.and.coach
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/MadeehaKhanZAI
• Medium: www.medium.com/@MadeehaKhanYousafzai

Note 1:This interview is written in third person language to be published on social media pages of Madeeha Khan, also copyrights of this content are reserved with Madeeha Khan and Beacon House (O-Levels team) Lahore.

Note 2: This interview was conducted before Covid-19.