CampusIntel

I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who has gone though this, and maybe if you’re reading this you haven’t experienced such a wave of irony and dissatisfaction, but chances are you will feel it after reading this post so…umm…sorry?

            I have recently found myself having feelings of dissatisfaction and resentment towards the way the world works…now let me narrow that down a bit since I’m sure there’s many ways the world “doesn’t work”. What I mean is the whole goal of life society has for us. When we’re young we’re put in school until we’re 18 or so, this preps us for the ‘real world’ but what we’re really getting ready for is deciding on our career, in order to accomplish most of these career aspirations we need to go to more school (university, college, etc.) once we’re done that we make our way into the working world, trying our hardest to make all of that education we received work for us and using it to gain experience and entrance into the jobs we think we want. Once we get there we work our whole life to save money so we can retire and enjoy the last few decades before we die. Do you see my problem?

            We work our whole life towards a career that we’re often times doing just so we can make money to retire to enjoy life…so why does our society have things set up so that the only life we’re given is used to work 8 hours/day 5 days/week for the majority of our life so that we can only enjoy the last bit of it when we’re old and tired and possibly not capable of doing anything we want to do anymore?? Why are we spending the best years of our life working so hard towards something that’s just the means to an end??

            Hopefully you will excuse my ramblings here, but these realizations are really quite frustrating. This is the reason why I want to be happy in my career, because I’m going to be doing it for the majority of my life and if you get to the point where it’s not fun you’re going to be miserable for so much of it until you retire! Unfortunately, so many people are not happy with their career. In my opinion, people aren’t happy because so often they’re rushed into a career they may not like because at age 18 they have to make decisions as to what they want to do the rest of their life so they can study and prepare for it (as now it takes at least a masters to get most jobs) or they’re rushed into it because they need the money to pay for the basic necessities of living!

            So, where is this all coming from? Well, as I said before, this is the reason I want to enjoy my career, the problem here is the job I think I want requires me to be in school at least until I’m 30 (why so late you may ask? First, because I need to get a PhD for the job I want and second because I changed degrees 3 times as out of high school I had no idea what the real world was like and so no idea what I wanted to do in it). Once getting out of school it’s another thing, trying to gain experience so that I can actually work in the setting I want to and making my way up the career latter to get to the top so I can make the big bucks and retire ‘happy’…right? Well, it doesn’t end there, my other frustrations lie in the fact that the 7 + years of schooling I still need to do is taken up by things like research and studying of a vast array of topics so that I can find my niche. While I understand why this may be important to some, the fact that it’s standardized this way leaves the people who already know what area they wish to specialize in frustrated as they have to complete a large assortment of classes they don’t need in the end for the career they want which also may bring down their overall marks making it harder for them to get into the school they wish to go to. And of course most of the jobs won’t end up taking into account how much you know about any one particular subject, but instead just look at the initials at the end of your name and the letters on your transcript; because to the world, it’s not important what you think you can do or how passionate and good you are at it just as long as you have the degree.

In a way university has a tendency to kill people’s passion for the work they want to do because it’s too generalized. This is why I often regret not going to a community college as they at least specialize in certain careers and help you get on your way in only a few years. The problem with this is the career I want isn’t really part of the community college curriculum, and even if it was unfortunately people don’t seem to value a two year degree (which indecently focuses more on your degree and gives you hands on experience) over a Masters or PhD (which generalizes and worries far too much about research and book learning).

In the case of clinical psychology (my end goal) I understand the need for a large amount of knowledge on various things however there’s more to it than getting the right letter grades and universities don’t seem to take much other than that into account. All this pressure and frustration is enough sometimes to make me want to give up and forget about the PhD and just do some job that doesn’t require me to be in school for the majority of my life so that I can just start paying off my student debt, but I keep thinking if I end up doing a career that’s less satisfactory to me in the end I’ll just end up depressed and needing to seek counselling.

            Isn’t that ironic?

I’m going to assume most people have at least pondered the idea of working at the government at least once in their life. I mean, lets face it, it pays really awesome, they get a ton of vacation time and they have some great benefits and a wide range of places to work at within the departments and across Canada. I also am going to assume that a lot of students have had very few chances or none at all to work at a desk job or at the government. I say this because up until about 2 years ago, all my friends I would do every year was complain about our summer jobs and how we’d always get stuck in retail doing hard work for minimum pay at all hours of the day/week. We used to dream of the day we’d get to work in an office in front of a computer all day and get weekends off…yes, we actually wanted the 9-5 jobs…

            Of course, you may have read a blog I wrote a while back talking about how the student life and the ‘real world’ lifestyle are very different and how the student is so efficient that they have to slow down a lot when they start working outside of school. Well, my perspectives on that topic really came from working in the public service. Now, I’m not going to say that all jobs in the government are boring or demand very little attention/hard-work because honestly, some of them are very hard and stressful, and it really depends on where you work and what’s going on in the department at the time you’re there…Also, it helps if you have a higher status and are not just working at entry level positions with a lot of other people trying to work their way up. However, I have spoken to a lot of students and people around my age who have reiterated my concerns about working in the government. It can get boring and not really tap into your strengths or skills.

            This being said, I do not want to discourage anyone from perusing a carrier or job in the government as, like I said, not all jobs will be the same. I DO however, want to warn people as to what they may be getting into and also maybe give some insight as to how to avoid getting stuck in this position and also how to get your foot in the door in the government.

Advice for getting in:

-If your school provides you the opportunity to do a field placement and there is a placement available in the government, I would say take it. Do everything in your power to get into a placement position that has opportunity for advancement. This is how I got into the public service, and honestly the majority of entry level positions I see are filled with placement students.

-With this advice in mind however, there are other way I know of getting into the government, these are: applying though FSWEP (Federal Student Work Experience Program), by either going to jobs-emplois.gc.ca/fswep-pfete/index-eng.htm or Googling FSWEP and filling out the VERY long form (don’t worry there is an end to it and after filling it out once, it’s just a matter of updating it from year to year). You could also go on the government of Canada website at www.jobs.gc.ca and search for jobs in your area. Keep in mind however, that most job postings will be posted internally, so another way would be to try and find someone working in government already who can update you on any jobs and can take your resume around to those looking to hire.

-Finally, it’s a great idea to start looking for jobs well in advance. Actually, if you’re looking for summer employment, you really should have been looking back in Dec or Jan, however, it’s never too late…so get moving!

Advice once you’re in:

-You will have to do some dirty work once you start working in the government, and by this I mean, boring and tedious tasks…sometimes reading about your department or catching up on the latest developments in the area you work in. Other times, filing documents or photocopying things for your employers.

-Do all of these tasks in an efficient manner, and ask for work when you’re done, do not wait around for your supervisor to give you something to do. Doing this shows initiative and if they have nothing more for you to work on they can possibly hand you over to someone else in your department to help them, this provides you with more exposure to others and to different work.

-Keep close contact with all those you work with and get to know them and spend as much time with them as you can. Research people who work in your department so you know who the “big wigs” are and try to rub shoulders with them any opportunity you can get. There are often small events that are held from time to time and if you receive emails for these events, ask your supervisor about them and see if you can get the chance to go and mingle, or go with your supervisor and ask them to introduce you to some people.

-Those you get close with will often be more than happy to forward you any job opportunities they hear about or provide you with references and contacts for future employment. Also, if you’re on the inside, like I said you’ll likely be given more chances to apply internally to jobs.

-All of these strategies will hopefully lead you to a higher position or one that taps into your strengths more than the entry-level ones, and at the very least, all of this exposure should provide you with a wealth of knowledge on various tasks which can promote your capabilities to those you work with, which may lead them to providing you with more difficult, demanding, rewarding and meaningful tasks.  

 Good Luck!

I have just finished a class about gender issues in the media. I firmly believe I have been oblivious to reality for too long, and so, have wondered if anyone else has been as well. For this reason, I have decided to share some of the knowledge I have recently learned about how the media uses images of men and women in stereotypical roles.

When it was first mentioned in class, I began thinking of the shows I watched and the movies I have enjoyed. And although cliché, I decided to analyze one of my favourite movies (please do not judge me), “Legally Blonde.”

In the movie, beautiful Elle Woods is portrayed as the typical female – she has a bubbly personality, is obsessed with shopping, make-up and shoes, and is known to be ditzy… To be clear, this is NOT my definition of a woman, but in fact, what I have learned society dictates the stereotypical woman is.

My professor discussed how today’s society continues to privilege males over females. Now, I don’t know why, but for some reason this surprised me. Perhaps it’s my many women’s studies classes or even the fact that my university is majority women, but I firmly believed that the division was becoming less and less apparent. But, supposedly, we are we are still living in a patriarchal world.

The movie tries to overcome this obstacle through having Elle attempt to break the barriers between the sexes. For instance, she starts attending a college dominated by males, Harvard Law School. Unfortunately, however, their distinction seems to do the opposite, as it appears to strengthen presupposing stereotypes and reinforce the divide between the sexes.

I further investigated other stereotypes present in the movie….and yes that required me watching parts of the movie again…..and yes I should have been studying for exams and not procrastinating….but to my defence, I was still learning! One of the most interesting lines comes from the saleswoman, who states:  “there’s nothing [she] loves better than a dumb blonde with Daddy’s plastic.” This reinforces not only that women are unintelligent but also that they are reliant on males as they hope to receive money from their fathers.

The more I watched, (and the more I procrastinated), the more I saw the presence of stereotypes. And in fact, stereotypes were present for both men and women, creating a further divide between the sexes with each one.

One of the most noteworthy examples involves shoes. For instance, when Elle is talking with Enrique, the cabana boy, he states: “don’t stomp your little last season Prada shoes at me, honey.” His knowledge of shoes, forces her to gasp and proclaim: “He’s gay!” Through this, we see that when males hold similar interests as women, their association with their sex is diminished, much like how Enrique is viewed as being unmasculine. Conversely, through observing Warner, the macho and intelligent male, we can see that the opposite can be stated. When Elle asks him what kind of shoes she’s wearing, he responds: “ummm… black ones,” reinforcing society’s expectations and thus his masculinity as well.

Through observing these facts I now wonder what other television shows and movies focus on stereotypes and highlight the distinctions between the sexes. Are there any other movies that anyone has watched that have presented similar stereotypes?

Many sitcoms are focused upon the average looking, hard-working, money-making male, with the gorgeous woman who stays home and spends all of his money. What I find unusual is that it is these shows that we have become accustomed to enjoy. I now wonder if there is any way to overcome these labels once society has etched them in our minds. For instance, do you think that if a show presents the opposite, which would be in this case, a hard-working woman, with the stay-at-home father, would the show be just as popular?

Did you know that one of the easiest ways to relieve stress is through baking?

For that reason watch this video blog to find out how to make a very delicious stress reliever!

Enjoy!

The MBA applications(especially essays) are your chance to demonstrate your unique qualifications and commitment to a career in business by discussing those experiences, people, and events that influenced your decision to enter the field.

Following Do’s and Don’ts for Your MBA Application will help you write compelling, focused essays that will transform you from a collection of numbers and classes into an interesting human being.

 Do’s and Don’ts for Your MBA Application

The Do’s

• Write clearly.
• Think what you want to discuss and the order in which you want to discuss it.
• Use examples from your own experience to distinguish yourself from other applicants in your essays.
• Write about what interests you, excites you.
• Start your essay with a quote, question, or engaging description of a scene.
• End your essay with a conclusion that refers back to the lead and restates your thesis.
• Revise your essay at least three times.
• In addition to your editing, ask someone else to critique your application for you.
• Proofread your essays by reading them out loud.

THE DON’TS

• Don’t make things up.
• Don’t include information that doesn’t support your essay.
• Don’t write an autobiography, itinerary, or résumé in prose.
• Don’t be afraid to start over if the essay just isn’t working or doesn’t answer the essay question.
• Don’t try to use difficult words to impress the reader.
• Don’t rely exclusively on your computer to check your spelling.
• Don’t provide a collection of generic statements.

I say professional facebook, you say…what?

LinkedIn? Have you heard? LinkedIn, as I think is best described is a professional facebook. How it works, is you create yourself a profile, just like you would for facebook, except rather than posting photos of wild nights out on the town, you post interesting job opportunities you have been fortunate enough to have, ask for recommendations from your mentors and colleagues and you are even able to apply to jobs on the web page.

LinkedIn, as I’m learning is a great place to meet people in your professional world, and learn about others in the profession you are interested in. For me, I have been able to connect with people that are already working in the careers that I look forward too and have been able to connect with group members, much like I would on facebook, but for sites like Ted.com and my own university’s alumni page.

If you are a recent grad, I would 100% www.linkedin.com for preparing and prepping for the work world, and becoming better connected to your colleagues and mentors.

Well, I’m embarrassed to admit it, but that’s me in the picture. There I am, so excited and thrilled to finally get my diploma. I thought my life would be different once I could finally put two capital letters next to my name and finally have that degree that I worked so hard for (and evidently, spent SOOO much money on).

I still remember the moment I heard my name being called, I walked across the stage, firmly shook the president’s hand, heard my friends and family clap for me, and then, before I knew it, reached my chair, and thought: “Well that’s done… now what?!”

I truthfully thought that the moment I received my diploma would indicate the end to all of those stressful days and nights….but I was wrong.

Sure, I no longer had to worry about completing that 15-page paper, or ensuring that I remembered everything printed in a 500-page textbook, but now I had to agonize about how I would pay off my student loan, how I would stay in touch with my new friends and more importantly, how I would find a good job.

So, faced with these obstacles, I did the only thing that entered my mind – I went back to what I saw as, ‘safe’ and found myself enrolled in another degree.

Do I think that is the road that many should choose? Absolutely not! For that reason, I’ve outlined a few things to consider when debating what path you should head on next.

The Debate between School and Work

• I know you don’t want to hear this, but no matter what I say, your parents say, or what you’re imaginary friends say, this is a decision that you will need to make. Of course, deciding between further education or going into the workforce will depend on a variety of factors. One of the biggest ones will be what type of degree you have and how lucky you will be able to find (and enjoy) an occupation in that field.

Why I believe One Should Choose Work:

• Let’s face it; our present economy is not helping us out with job opportunities. For that reason, if you are handed a job that is full of potential upon graduation, I would definitely accept it. Another obvious thing to analyze is whether it is something you want to do. The job you get does not have to be directly related to the field you have spent the last few years studying, but if it is, it will definitely give you an advantage. I’d also accept a job that appears to have lots of room for promotions or raises. Everyone dreams about having that ideal job and making their way to the top (or close to the top), so if that interests you and that appears to be offered, sign on the dotted line and get ready to enter the work force!
• If you can’t find your ideal job, but feel that more schooling is not the path for you, don’t get disheartened. True, it may take awhile for the economy to get back on its’ feet, but it will, and so will you. Also, I know it will be overwhelming at first, but soon you will be surprised at the many opportunities that will come your way. However, what will be most unexpected is that you’ll notice that many of your skills will be transferable. More specifically, if you have gained any research, analytical or writing skills you will soon recognize that they will help you out in almost any job that you apply for!

Why I believe one should choose school:

• You spent the first twenty years of your life in school so why not a few more, right? With today’s economy, it has been indicated that the best place to be is… you guessed it…. in school. So, if you are not being offered your dream job but feel like you deserve it, don’t get discouraged. Instead, give yourself more confidence and more qualifications by enrolling in another degree. Plus, if you go from one degree to another, you will still be in the scholastic mode and you’ll know what to expect! (Because seriously, no wants to endure those freshmen 15 pounds again or have to relive the pain of not knowing what to anticipate with those final exams!)
• The main advantage about doing a second degree is being able to gain additional experience in something you want to do. I enrolled in my first degree because I felt it was the right step to take – I hadn’t even researched it to find out if it would be something that I would want to do later on in life. On the other hand, for my second degree, I gave it much more thought and chose it because I believed it was related to what I wanted to do for my career and I felt it offered me more job opportunities. These two elements are essential to think about when debating whether or not to indulge in more schooling. Therefore, if you can say yes to either, or both, of these questions, be prepared to spend many more nights cramming for an exam, too many hours working on that term paper, and alas, walking across the stage another time to receive another piece of paper.

I hope my advice helps you answer the question: “I got the degree… now what?”  But more importantly, I hope you also understand that no matter which road you choose, whether it is an additional degree or joining the workforce, I hope you realize that your educational and professional skills will soon have opportunity knockin’…. and you at the other side of the door!

I’ve always been a bit of a nerd, especially now when it comes to Psychology, so at first I was really excited about coming back to university to upgrade my minor in it… and by really excited I mean, every time someone asked me how I was feeling about going back my eyes would widen and I’d answered with a smile and a resounding: “I’M ABSOLUTELY PUMPED!”  For some reason this answer seemed to shock and puzzle people…not so much because of the magnitude of it (I’m sure), but from the positive attitude I had about it. I think people expect students who have already done 4 years of university to be annoyed about going back for further studying…and they’d be right about the studying part…who the heck likes studying, and don’t get me started on how exams and test scores are biased and unrepresentative of most students’ knowledge…However, I took a bit of a different approach. As much as I hate the studying part of university, I love learning new things about my major; after all, if you don’t find it fascinating…why continue studying it?

            As the first day of classes drew nearer however, I started to get that familiar feeling of uneasiness…those same butterflies that were my companions when I first started university were coming back. It was a bit different this time though and as a psychology major it wouldn’t really be right for me NOT to analyze this. So, I took a closer look. As far as I could tell, the nervousness I had felt when I first started university was caused by ‘the unknown’ (OOooo, spooky, I know). You see, when I started out I had no idea what to expect. I didn’t know the area, I had never been away from home for an extended period of time, I didn’t know anyone going to the school, I didn’t know how to get around, what was expected of me, where my classes were, if I was in the right classes, etc. etc. etc.  Now, as far as I’m concerned, all of those worries were totally warranted…but none of them made sense to me now…I knew the area, I’d lived here for over 4 years, I knew lots of people, I’d done the whole university thing from start to finish already…so what was I afraid of?

            One day soon after pondering this dilemma as I sat looking at and adding to my already very long ‘to do’ list I pinpointed the reason for my dismay! I sat staring at all of these things I needed to get done and found instead of being worried about them I was contemplating a nap! It turns out my anxiety was caused by the fear that I had become lazy since being out of university!

            As a student you’re taught to use every second to your advantage; there’s always something you could be doing: you could start on those assignments all due within the next week, you could do your readings, you could be studying/prepping for exams or you could even start researching for your career. Once I was done being a student however, my life shifted and I had learned to shift with it…I slowed down when I started working in ‘the real world’. At first, I remember being so efficient at my jobs that I’d often find myself asking my bosses for more work to do as I’d finish what they’d given me to work on for the day within hours of getting it! Furthermore, when I got home at the end of the day I’d just sit around doing nothing because I’d have no studying or reading or assignments to work on. Eventually I learned to remold myself into the ‘real world’ trends and this meant slowing down and making little tasks in my day to do, things that ordinary I would’ve cram into one day (after my morning classes, before my night classes and in-between grocery shopping) to have something to do all the time. Because of this I was now worried that I wouldn’t be able to buckle down and get back into the highly efficient student mode. You see, when I was a student, even though I’d have a million and one things to do in a day I’d find a way to get it all done, and to the best of my abilities. At first this concerning me until I realized something…if I could change into being a student in the first place, making the transition back into that mode of thinking would be easier the second time around!

            So, I headed off on the first day ready for the challenge, this time knowing what to expect… and also knowing I could totally use this story of anxiety and psychoanalysis to sound really smart in my classes…Check and mate!

A short while ago I had a shocking revelation, only 7 months after graduating from Carleton University with my undergraduate degree in Criminology I realized I would have to return to Carleton for a second undergraduate degree. The reason: my degree was insufficient to get into a graduate school and subsequent PhD program for clinical psychology. You see, having only realized being a clinical psychologist was what I wanted to do in my third year of study, there wasn’t really enough time for me to change my degree, and it turns out only having a minor in psychology wasn’t going to cut it. As this all hit me I thought grumpily to myself that apparently the grand ideal of truly “finding yourself” as you are exposed to the various opportunities and perspectives the undergraduate world has to offer…was not really such a grand ideal after all. At least, that is, not when you realize the degree you just worked 4 years on is not the one required for the career you have finally decided to pursue.
            Now, I realize this all sounds depressing and scary at first, but don’t panic quite yet! Catch your breath, put down the shot glass and the bottle of rum and DO NOT frantically call student services to rearrange your degree. Pursuing a degree which you don’t quite know will help you in the future or not isn’t all bad. Seriously! After all, if there’s one thing I’ve learned for sure, it’s that everything happens for a reason.

            I know what you’re thinking, ok so, she had some sort of grand revelation about her life, her degree and where she wants to go and is now content with the situation; which is all good for her, but what about me?! Well, that’s not exactly true… Eventually, you will learn to work with and appreciate whatever circumstances you find yourself in…but, I’m not going to lie, this acceptance didn’t come easily…I had to go through a few mid-life crises (which I admit is kind of unsettling when you realize that you’re only 22) before I experienced a breakthrough. However, when I did reach this point, I realized two things (with quite a lot of help from family, friends and personal religious practices): first, what I had already accomplished in obtaining my undergraduate degree was an amazing feat, and second, without going into the degree I did I would never have made the decision I had about the career I wanted. You see, without going into Criminology I wouldn’t have changed my perspective on crime and I never would have wanted to help offenders change their lives around.

            University, and more importantly, choosing to study Criminology is the path that actually led me to wanting to become a clinical psychologist. Without having been in Criminology I wouldn’t be headed where I’m going today. I want to help people and I want to dedicate my life to the people that are so often forgotten and rejected by society. I know sometimes, my parents and boyfriend would have preferred that I not aspire to work face-to-face with offenders with mental difficulties (for some strange reason), however, this choice is what makes me who I am and after hearing my passionate rants about it, they know it’s truly what I want to do.

            So, back to academia I will go, with my head held high, my mind set in one direction (finishing this degree as best and as quickly as I can before my parents start thinking they’ve raised a female version of Van Wilder), and my sights set on a bright future (…8 years from now).

            In all seriousness though, I love learning so going back to school isn’t the end of the world for me, especially if it means I’ll be doing what I want to do down the road. Besides, with my minor already in Psychology, I only have 7 credits left for a second undergraduate degree, and lets be honest, to a nerd like myself, having another degree to add to the list is friggin’ awesome!

Throughout the past few decades it has become a well-known fact that women get paid less than their male counterparts and have limited job opportunities in industries that primarily employ men.  The field of sports public relations has been a male-dominated industry for years, and until recently, women were laughed at when they showed interest in covering sports. From gaining access to gaining respect, women have had to overcome many obstacles while attempting to represent athletes and sports teams throughout North America. Women’s subordination in regards to the sports industry is a large problem in the public relations realm and nowhere is this more evident than in the field of baseball.

It has been stated that millions of people spend hours viewing, participating in, and avidly discussing sports.  To those people, women are non-existent in positions of authority.  In fact, a survey conducted in 2001 found that females hold just twenty-two percent of sports information and sports PR positions. What I feel is unjust is the fact that despite the dramatic increase in the number of young women participating in sports, there is not a corresponding number of women taking on the media aspect.

On the other hand, scholars, such as Zena Burgess believes that no longer is sports writing the exclusive domain of males, as the present appears to hold promise for women sports reporters. On that note, however, I feel should it should be debated whether these women, who appear to be breaking through, are being granted the same amount of power, authority or respect.  

For example, through analyzing the situation that occurred to female baseball reporter, Melissa Ludtke, one is able to recognize that although she was able to emerge into the sports PR field, there were still complications.  During the World’s Series in 1977, when the New York Yankees played the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ludtke was denied access to power and authority because she was restricted to access the players in the locker rooms. Although it was commonplace for a male reporter to enter and interview the baseball players immediately after the game, Ludtke was denied this power due to the fact that she was female.  

More importantly I also feel the statement that women in the field have been able to overcome their obstacles should be challenged as I believe that within many male-dominated professions, it only appears that women have surmounted as females have learned to succeed by utilizing their strengths through playing on their common stereotypes.  For instance, this can be observed through analyzing another female baseball reporter, Erin Andrews.  Upon evaluating her professional career, one can see that she has surpassed what has been declared by many scholars as the ‘glass ceiling’ and has found herself obtaining a job that has been reserved predominantly for men.

That being said, however, I still debate whether Andrews has actually overcome barriers as the media merely declares her as a ’sexy woman with a microphone.’ She is not being identified by her reporting skills in the way that successful male baseball reporters, such as Tommy Hutton or Gary Thorne would be. One can understand this more clearly though analyzing Mike Nadel’s comments on Andrews, as he declares that she is “a babe who clearly isn’t afraid to flaunt it, and who saunters around the visiting clubhouse, flirting from one player to another.”  This notion has allowed me to contest why Andrew’s and many other female reporters believe they must portray themselves as simply a sex symbol.  It’s evident that Andrews has enough qualifications and experience that she would get plenty of interviews and attention no matter what she looked like.  Another question that arises is whether Andrews brought it upon herself by wearing short dresses or if the male-dominated society created this culture.

Interestingly, it should be established that Andrews is not the exception, but the standard, as upon observing other women reporters similar problems occur.  Alex J. Robinson, a female reporter for, ‘In the Action Seat,’ interviewed Alex Rios, the right-fielder for the Toronto Blue Jays.  The interview took place after a game in which he went 4-for-5, which included hitting a pair of homeruns.  However, instead of discussing the great game that he played or enquiring how he was so successful at the plate, Robinson asked Rios unusual questions, including, “Is it hard being so beautiful?,” “Would Alex Rios rather wake up with no toes, or no hair?” and “If you were a pork-chop what kind of sauce would you cover yourself in?” Evidently, this depiction plays on the fact that men believe that women do not care about baseball and sports and would rather talk about one’s appearance or life preferences. Unfortunately, I have found that there are many other current examples of female reporters who have had to diminish their authority and power in hopes to have a memorable interview with a great baseball player.

I also believe that problems occur because of the belief that the sports PR field is inadequate for women as it has been declared as a time-intensive, week-end hours, deadline oriented, and never-see-daylight type of job. This notion emphasizes women’s stereotypes as it focuses on society’s depiction of women through their traditional sex roles, being caregivers, mothers and nurturers.  Additionally, time becomes a crucial element in considering why women have not gained entrance, as workers in the field, especially baseball, are known to work late hours and will always be outside the home due to constant travelling.

Mary Jo Haverbeck, a female sports writer for Penn State University’s baseball team also agrees that the field has become completely male-centered. She has been quoted stating that somebody has to break the glass ceiling to assist females who want to get into the sports profession as the numbers aren’t getting any higher for females as male athletic directors like to hire males so no one is reaching out to bring females in.  

That being said, as a female who hopes to someday become a sport writer or reporter, I can only hope that women’s opportunities are only going to get better. Let’s hope they stop striking out and hit a homerun!