“Emotional Intelligence – perceiving, understanding and managing emotions in the workplace. There are many ways women could utilize this way of thinking to find ways to work more effectively with co-workers, solve problems and become leaders and managers in the workplace”.
-I Agree. If you carry yourself a certain way, people notice, more so, women notice. I get compliments/comments/questions from both sexes, but women are quicker & at least two times more likely to present a compliments/comments/questions, especially when you “stand out”. In my role as a Research Study Assistant (RSA), I work with approx 5-6 services within the Clinic Trials Office(CTO). Typically, RSAs are designated to one service within the CTO (ie. Melanoma, Sarcoma, Breast Oncology, Gynecologic oncology, GI etc). Essentially, I have more resources because of this. In addition, I choose to build my resources make my job easier, which maintains my reputation as an task executer amongst my co-workers. If these traits are a product of me being female, then it’s quite productive. I elaborate on the “standing out” or disadvantage aspect of this argument in the next comment.

“causing me to be almost overly aware and self-conscious about how I appear to colleagues.”
- To elaborate on this [Amanda's] paragraph. There is a downside to being so perceptive. I notice this amongst the RN/MD clinic assistants in clinic, mostly females. Their duties include scheduling clinic visits for patients, patient interaction, and guiding the flow of the MD’s clinic schedule. They may not notice, but they all look alike depending clinic floor. On one floor, assistants are generally laid back wearing similar slacks, blouses, and flats; in contrast to another floor whose assistants wear 3″ heels,micro dresses, and full makeup. New employees adapt the norm on both floors (even coverages from other floors). Each floor is only different by service, not by job title. It’s interesting when it stems away from team dynamic, but competition. I’ve noticed that within their uniformity, they work as individuals. It’s also interesting that they want to maintain their reputation amongst their peers and stay within the group, yet struggle with the want to break free/rebel. With that said, it’s an active decision to stand out for both sexes, within reason (i.e no Gothic clothes to work).You have to put your blinders on to “office politics” and focus on the prize of your growing career. I agree with being self-conscious but within the word “self” - focusing on “self” improvement, “self” advancement etc. Although, I also believe you need a team to get there, whom will remind you of being self-conscious.

“In previous workplace experiences, either co-op or other employment, critically thinking and analyzing made the difference between a negative experience and a positive one..”
- I Agree. My critical thinking involved saving all my appraisals and/or noting the feedback I received from each work experience, especially co-op. I did my co-op at the Schizophrenia Research Clinic at Mass General. On my co-op evaluation it mention my lack to make executive decisions and need to confirm with upper management. Similar in high school and some college classrooms, I expected the teacher to hold my hand and tell me what to do versus being a “go getter” and telling the teacher/professor what would like to know and expect from him/her. Fast forward to present - two jobs later I’m finally getting it. For my current job appraisal I was commended for having a clear insight to good decision making, especially executive decision making when my supervisor is not available. I just have to keep practicing, even when my motivation is low.

Thanks for the post you guys!
Alisa