According to a recent study by the U.S. Bureau of Labor, women make up nearly 50% of the American workforce. And while that number is growing when it comes to women in leadership positions, there's still one industry where women are drastically underrepresented - field service. In fact, according to another study by McKinsey & Company, only 2% of field service technicians are women. But that's beginning to change, thanks to a new generation of women who are breaking down barriers and bringing their skills to the field service industry.
Women in the Field Service Industry and What They Face on a Daily Basis
Women have been breaking through barriers and making strides in the field service industry for many years. Despite this progress, women still face challenges on a daily basis. One of the most fundamental challenges is simply being taken seriously. In a male-dominated industry, women can often be treated as though they are not competent or capable of doing the job. This can be extremely frustrating, and it can make it difficult to get the respect of co-workers and customers alike.
Work-life Balance
Another challenge that women face is finding the right work-life balance. With long hours and often unpredictable schedules, it can be difficult to maintain healthy personal and professional relationships. Harvard Business Review did a study showing that women are more likely to have responsibilities outside of work that necessitate predictable schedules, such as picking up their children from school.
These inflexible commitments prevent women from taking on unpredictable and last-minute shifts. This leads to gender disparities in workers' ability to take on overtime shifts (which are compensated at one and a half times the regular wage). On average, women accepted these opportunities 50% less often than men.
Sexual Harassment and Discrimination
Women in the field service industry must deal with a disproportionate amount of sexual harassment and discrimination. According to AAUW 34% of female employees say they have been sexually harassed by a colleague. Of those women who have been sexually harassed, 37% said it disrupted their career advancement.
When women decrease their hours or leave a job to avoid harasser, it reduces their wage and ability to save and build wealth. Additionally, women who attempt to avoid their harasser can miss out on vitally important on-the-job training and mentorship which is critical in helping women rise into leadership positions and in turn make more money.
Although these challenges can be difficult to overcome, women in the field service industry continue to make significant strides and contributions every day.
Inspiring Women in the Field Service Industry
In a male-dominated industry, it can be easy to feel like you're the only woman in the room. But there are plenty of inspiring women in the field service industry who are paving the way for the next generation. From CEOs and executives to front-line workers, these women are showing that field service is a career that offers limitless opportunities.
Women Who Are Making a Difference in the Field Service Industry:
Taylor Glasson is a field service engineer at Swisslog, a hospital where she works as an internal field technician expert on their equipment. Fieldtechnologiesonline.com did a story on her, where she explains that a big part of the problem is field service branding. Glasson believes that too often is it ingrained in the minds of young students that college is the only path to success. College was not for her and had to find out for herself the opportunities that exist within the field service industry. She thinks the recruiting and hiring is in large part a marketing issue.
Yvonne Wassenaar is the CEO of Airwatch by VMware, a leading enterprise mobility management company. Wassenaar is a driving force behind Airwatch's success, and she has been recognized as one of the most powerful women in enterprise IT.
Angela Brown is the president of A1 Comms, one of the largest independent providers of communication solutions in the UK. Brown is a passionate advocate for women in technology, and she has been instrumental in growing A1 Comms into a leading player in the field service industry.
These are just a few of the many inspiring women who are making a difference in the field service industry. With their passion and dedication, they are redefining what it means to be a woman in field service and setting an example for the next generation.
The Importance of Having More Women in This Field
Women have always been an important part of the workforce, but they have traditionally been underrepresented in certain industries. One such industry is field service. Field service work can be physically demanding and can require a high level of technical expertise. As a result, it has often been seen as a “man’s job.”
However, there are many reasons why having more women in field service is important:
- Women are just as capable as men of performing the physically demanding tasks required for the job.
- Women bring a different perspective to problem-solving, which can be invaluable in a field where creativity and outside-the-box thinking are often required.
- Having more women in field service can help to build trust and rapport with customers, who may be more comfortable dealing with a female technician.
In an increasingly competitive marketplace, it is clear that companies that embrace diversity will have a distinct advantage. As such, there is a clear business case for increasing the number of women in field service.
Challenges and Rewards of this Career Path for Women
As the field service industry continues to grow, more and more women are finding rewarding careers in this traditionally male-dominated field. Although the path to success is not always easy, and women face a number of unique challenges in the field of service industry.
One of the biggest challenges is simply breaking into the industry. Women often have to work harder than their male counterparts to prove their abilities and earn the respect of their colleagues. In addition, women may also face discrimination and sexual harassment on the job.
Rewards
Despite these challenges there are many rewards to be found in this line of work. For starters, the field service industry offers a high degree of flexibility, which can be very beneficial for women who are also juggling other responsibilities such as parenting or caregiving.
Additionally, the field service industry provides an opportunity to work independently and to really get to know your customers on a personal level. In many cases, the relationships that you build with your customers can last for years.
Finally, the field service industry offers a chance to really make a difference in people's lives. Whether you're helping them to troubleshoot a problem with their appliance or simply providing them with some much-needed customer service, you can take pride in knowing that you're playing a vital role in keeping your community running smoothly.
How Women Overcome Challenges in the Field Service Industry
Women in the field service industry have long been outnumbered by their male counterparts. In recent years, however, more and more women are entering the field, thanks in part to initiatives that encourage gender diversity.
While many women find success in the field service industry, they often face challenges that their male colleagues do not. For example, women may be assumed to be less knowledgeable about repair work or may be treated with less respect by customers. As a result, women must often work harder than their male colleagues to prove themselves.
Many women find that the challenges of the field service industry are outweighed by the rewards. The satisfaction of a job well done, the camaraderie of working with a team, and the opportunity to help others are just some of the reasons why women choose to enter this rewarding field. Thanks to their hard work and dedication, more and more women are finding success in the field service industry every day.
The Impact that Women in Field Service Roles Have on Their Business
Women in the field service industry are having a profound impact, both on the businesses they work for and on the customers they serve.Â
When it comes to businesses, hiring more women into field service roles can have a significant impact on the bottom line. For example, one study found that businesses with gender-diverse leadership teams were 21% more likely to outperform their peers when it came to profitability. Similarly, another study found that businesses with more female employees tend to have lower turnover rates and higher employee satisfaction scores.Â
In terms of customers, research has shown that female field service technicians are often viewed as more trustworthy and competent than their male counterparts - two qualities that are essential when it comes to providing quality service. And in an industry where customer satisfaction is so important, that can make all the difference.
Advice for Young Women Who Are Considering a Career in Field Service
A career in field service can be extremely rewarding, offering both the opportunity to help others and the satisfaction of a job well done. However, it is also a demanding field, requiring long hours and occasional night or weekend work. If you are considering a career in field service, here are a few pieces of advice to help you get started.
- Be sure to choose a field that you are passionate about. Whether you want to work with electronics, HVAC systems, or something else entirely, it's important to find an area that you enjoy working in. This will make the long hours more bearable and help you stay motivated in your career.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Field service can be challenging, and there will be times when you need assistance from your colleagues. Asking for help shows that you are willing to learn and grow in your career, and it can also help build strong working relationships.
- Remember that success in field service takes time. Don't expect to achieve everything overnight-build your skills and knowledge gradually, and always strive to improve. With hard work and dedication, you can thrive in this exciting field.
Learn More About Women in Field Service and What They Do
Women have been working in the field of service for many years. They have been providing support to various industries and have been playing an important role in the economy.
Today, there are more opportunities for women to work in this field and they are able to contribute more to the society. Unfortunately, there is still a lack of awareness about the contributions of women in this field. In order to learn more about their contributions, it is important to understand the different types of field service jobs that they perform.
Women can work in a variety of field service jobs. They can be employed as customer service representatives, technical support specialists, or even field technicians. They can also work as project managers or product managers. The job responsibilities of women in this field vary depending on their position. Regardless of the position, all women in this field share one common goal: to provide excellent service to their customers.
Customer Service
In order to provide excellent service, women in this industry need to have strong communication skills. They need to be able to effectively listen to their customers and understand their needs. They also need to be able to explain things clearly and concisely.
Women in this field need to be patience and calm under pressure. They need to be able to handle difficult customer service calls without getting frustrated or angry. It is also extremely important to have a positive attitude and be willing to go above and beyond for their customers.
If you are interested in learning more about women who work in the field service industry, there are many resources available online. You can learn more about the different types of jobs that they perform, their job responsibilities, and the skills that they need to succeed. You can also find out more about the challenges that they face and how they overcome them. By learning more about women who work in this field, you can better understand the contributions that they make to society and the economy.
The Importance of Inclusiveness in Field Service Growth
Develop Mentorship Program
As a field service company, one of the best things you can do for your employees is to build inclusiveness into your growth path. By investing in diversity training and encouraging participation in resource groups for women and minorities across field services, you can create a more inclusive environment that will help all employees feel like they have a voice and a place at the table.
Additionally, developing mentorship programs within your company and participating in industry mentorship programs can help build inclusiveness by providing opportunities for employees to connect with mentors who can help them navigate their careers. By taking these steps to build inclusiveness, you can create a more diverse and inclusive environment that will help your company grow and thrive.
Improve Customer Satisfaction
The business case for diversity and inclusion has been well-documented. Companies with diverse teams are better able to reflect the demographics of their customer base, which leads to improved customer satisfaction and increased sales. Moreover, studies have shown that diverse teams are more innovative and creative, leading to greater success in fast-paced industries. For these reasons and more, it's clear that diversity and inclusion are critical to the success of any company—particularly companies in rapidly-changing industries like field service.Â
Invest in Diversity Training
While the business case for diversity and inclusion is strong, many companies still struggle to create truly inclusive environments. This can be due to a number of factors, including an unconscious bias among leaders, a lack of diverse role models within the company, and a lack of understanding about how to create an inclusive culture. However, there are steps that companies can take to overcome these challenges and build truly inclusive environments.Â
One of the best things companies can do is invest in diversity training for all employees. This type of training helps individuals understand their own personal biases and how those biases might impact their interactions with others.
Additionally, it's important to encourage participation in resource groups for women and minorities across all levels of the organization. These groups provide people with a safe space to share their experiences and perspectives, as well as an opportunity to learn from others who may have different backgrounds or perspectives.
Furthermore, developing mentorship programs within your company—and participating in industry mentor programs—can help connect employees with mentors who can help them navigate their careers.
Conclusion
There's no question that women are having a positive impact on the field service industry - both in terms of businesses and customers. But there's still work to be done in terms of shattering stereotypes and ensuring workplace safety. As more and more women enter the field service industry, we can only hope that these challenges will become a thing of the past.
The field service industry is a great place for women to work and can offer many rewarding opportunities. However, there are also some challenges that come with the job. It’s important to be aware of these before making a decision about whether or not this is the right career path for you.
One thing is for sure, Smart Service software can help anyone get ahead in the field service industry, women included! The Smart Service software for the field service industry syncs with Intuit Quickbooks Scheduling software and streamlines everyday work process like routing and dispatching. Paired with the Smart Service mobile app iFleet, you can supercharge your field service technicians.
Looking for a competitive edge in a fats moving industry like HVAC? Then don't hesitate and try a free demo of Smart Service today! Smart Service Cloud is also available to those who are looking for something different form traditional software.
