I am not one to boast but what I can tell you is that once I set my mind to do something, I will do it. The only thing that gets in my way is often the limited thinking of other people, i.e., those that decide that only one demographic belongs in certain technical roles. Well, like my mom always reminded me, smallminded people may block you but what they cannot do is take away what you know, or your education. As often was true, she was right. Just because I don't do something doesn't mean I can't.
Working as a contractor has mostly eliminated what is called politics, but which in fact are all of the macroaggressions and microaggressions, racism and discrimination that occurs when trying to gain a foothold that others freely receive. But career growth requires diverse work experiences and so it never goes away.
A few years ago I started down the path of working in construction. Like in other fields that I have entered or have attempted to enter I felt the negative energy of the people who did not seem to want me there---some of the nonBlack men with an obvious dislike for me as a Black person. They didn't take enough time to know me to dislike me---they decided from the first appearance. Thankfully, a few were more supportive but were either not in a position to hire me, or decided not to do so.
Doing the work anyway
The photograph shows me working on a rooftop to check for damages after a storm and it was unpaid work. Regardless of what work I do on the ground or in the air though, I work safely. The safety harness and ropes cost a few hundred dollars the cost of an injury is much, much more.
The point I am making for this post is that just because someone is not doing a job it doesn't mean s/he/they cannot do that job. If the person is physically capable, then it is often an emotional or psychological obstacle that keep her/him/them from seeking out the desired work, likely due to experienced racial discrimination. Rejecting someone for being the person GOD created is rather perverse and insidious.
Although I am not currently working in the engineering field, I am still capable of doing the work. I am working in the margins to build capability. For example, I have been doing water sampling, wetland delineations, plant studies and agricultural work on my own or in a volunteer capacity.
