Breaking the Silence: Advocating for Yourself in a Male-Dominated Industry
Stepping into a room full of engineers or scientists and realizing you're one of the few women there can feel like walking into an exclusive club where you forgot the secret handshake. For many women in STEM, including me, this is a daily reality, and advocating for ourselves can sometimes feel like scaling a mountain without a map. But if there's one thing I’ve learned from my own experiences—and from the inspiring women I’ve had the privilege of meeting—it’s this: we belong, and our voices matter.
Owning Your Expertise
I vividly remember the first time I presented my findings to my PI and lab members, working as a Robotics Research Assistant. I was analyzing gait metrics for exoskeletons—a project that combined engineering systems with real-world impact. The room was filled with highly accomplished professionals, and I felt the weight of imposter syndrome pressing on me.
But I realized something: I knew this work. I’d spent hours perfecting visualizations and running k-NN classifications to make sense of the data. When I spoke confidently about the results, something shifted. My expertise wasn’t just heard—it was respected. That’s when I learned that owning your knowledge is the first step to advocating for yourself.
Turning Challenges into Opportunities
During my internship at PwC, I designed a machine learning model to automate warehouse data validation for one of our clients. It was a high-stakes project, and I was the youngest person on the team. At first, I hesitated to share ideas in meetings. What if they weren’t good enough?
But instead of staying silent, I reframed my perspective: What’s the worst that can happen? I spoke up about a potential improvement to the data pipeline, and to my surprise, it was well-received and implemented. That moment taught me that the best way to earn a seat at the table is to pull up a chair and show what you can do.
Find Allies and Build Your Tribe
One of the most empowering lessons I’ve learned is the value of building connections. Whether it’s joining women-focused organizations like GEECS or finding mentors who understand your challenges, allies can make all the difference.
The same lesson applies in the workplace. In male-dominated teams, I’ve found that building relationships with allies—men and women alike—can help break down barriers. Whether it’s finding a mentor, collaborating with like-minded peers, or uplifting others’ ideas, it is okay to lean on your peers for advice and support. Sharing stories, strategizing solutions, and celebrating wins together reminded me that I wasn’t alone in this journey.
Reframe Confidence
Confidence is often portrayed as an unshakable belief in your abilities. But in reality, it’s about being brave enough to take action, even when doubt lingers. Advocating for yourself isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room; it’s about asserting your right to be there.
A phrase I live by is, “Why not me?” If someone else can advocate for an opportunity, take on a leadership role, or pursue their dream project, why shouldn’t I?
Advocate for More Than Just Yourself
Advocating for yourself doesn’t stop at your own success—it extends to creating space for others. Amplify the voices of other women, create space for underrepresented groups, and challenge systems that perpetuate inequality.
In my role as Social Chair of the Indian American Student Association, I worked with multicultural organizations to facilitate enriching conversations about diversity and inclusion. These experiences reminded me that every act of advocacy helps amplify the voices of those who need it most.
The Future Is Female—And It’s Here
Advocating for yourself in STEM isn’t just about surviving in a male-dominated industry—it’s about thriving and changing the narrative. Every time you share an idea, challenge a bias, or take up space unapologetically, you pave the way for others to do the same.
To all the women reading this: remember, you are a force to be reckoned with. Advocate fiercely, support each other, and never stop claiming the space you deserve.
Tisha Jain