Are you into the profession that is forbidden for women? A degree that is so rare for the XX kind that even Socrates once said “Women in Engineering and headphone jack in iPhone 7 have one thing in common – They don’t exist”
Here are the constant struggles that we face every day of our lives:
1. You’re pretty well versed in the conversation you’re going to have with every single auntie you meet
Auntie: “Beta, what are you doing these days?”
You: “Engineering”
Auntie: *looks at you like you just came back from a visit to Mars*
2. You have been told countless times “Engineering mein larkiyo ka scope nahi” (Women have low chance of being employed in engineering related fields)
Give me one valid reason why!?
3. You have been stereotyped as an ugly woman who can’t find dates just because you study engineering.
The popular media assumes that you have two of your teeth out, a mole on your cheek, and oily braided hair and absolutely no sense of fashion.
I can be smart and pretty at the same time.
4. You’re probably the only girl in your class which means that every other boy wants to have his chance with you.
Okay, maybe into that one cute decent guy *blushes*
5. But, this also means low competition AND you’re in demand
6. You feel like a queen because you get all your male class fellows to do things for you
“Fahad zara canteen se le kuch le tou aana”
7. But you can’t really have “fun” with your boys because of how conservative universities are
Government universities and romantic times? HA HA
8. Being around with so many guys means that you’re always subjected to judgment
“Maham ko dekho jeans shirt pehenti hai larko ke saath ghoomti hai, bohot cheap hai”
9. Group projects can sometimes be a problem because your parents aren’t comfortable you staying out late with all boys.
How do you ask your mom to stay at Salman’s house for the night with 4 other guys?
10. Everyone just assumes you’re not going to work after your degree
Bhai, itna dimagh meine rotiyan bananey ke liye nahi khapaya!
11. Buying electrical components for your projects will get you weird stares
Why are all these people staring me? What have I done? I am just here to buy some resistors.
12. The guys wouldn’t stop mansplaining things to you.
13. It’s irritating when every random person tries offering you help when you don’t need it.
14. Any article that talks about struggles that engineers face are ALWAYS written from a man’s perspective.
Dude, I am as much of an engineer as you are. Mera bhi utna hi haq hai!
15. No one expects you to know anything about fashion because you would be into “boy things” now
16. They always assume that you didn’t get into a med school so that’s why you’re studying Engineering
Oh auntie please! Engineering was my first choice and not my only option.
Not every girl wants to become a doctor or a fashion designer!
Aunty: “Beta why didn’t you do medical?”
Me: “Auntie kafi ache kapre silwaye the is saal, don’t want to wear lab coats everywhere from malls to movies”
17. It’s always assumed you’re trying too hard to not be like “other women”
When will they understand that I cannot do it because “I” suck at it? Not because ALL women suck at it!
I don’t speak for all women. If I cannot do mental math quickly, that doesn’t mean that WOMEN are bad at math. I just happen to be a woman who is not good at mental math!
But… It’s not all bad.
18. You love the shocking look on some people’s faces when you tell them you’re an engineering student.
19. It’s cute when a guy tries to “help you” with technical stuff assuming you’ve no idea about it and turns out, you are actually better at it.
20. You can proudly say you’re a woman in STEM and that gives you an edge
21. You may sometimes question your choice but at the end of the day, you know you’re a rare kind and that makes you so proud of yourself
You do you, ladies.
Cover image via: ifc.org