Wednesday, March 13, 1963 University Daily Kansan
Page 11
Women Find Places in a Man's World
By Dolores Orman
Journalism, engineering, and law are three traditionally honorable professions, and three professions traditionally dominated by men.
But the plight of women seeking employment in these fields is improving, and their chances of breaking the male-barrier has been enhanced. At least this is the general opinion at the University of Kansas
"There is an increasing acceptance of women in the general fields of journalism," said Burton W. Marvin, dean of the William Allen White School of Journalism.
HE SAID women are no longer restricted to feminine jobs such as society reporting. "It is being recognized that women are just as capable as men."
He said he saw no reason why a woman could not succeed in the field and even achieve executive status. The average beginning salary per week for news-editorial graduates is $75.80, with radio and television graduates receiving a slightly higher starting pay.
Dean Marvin said that seven of the 30 graduates which the journalism school averages each year, are women.
What are some of the opinions of women studying in the field of journalism?
"I DIDN't realize there was such competition in the field until I got into it," said Kay Jarvis, Kansas City sophomore majoring in news-editorial.
She said the field is opening up for women but that they still have to prove themselves.
Patricia Behen, Kansas City, Kan.
junior in news-editorial, said, "There was a time when I thought there were no newspaper women, only newspaper men. I still feel that way somewhat."
CLARA FOGARTY. Wadsworth junior, majoring in fashion copy writing said, "Women (in the field of advertising) can alleviate the problem by acting like women."
Dana Stewart, Hutchinson junior in advertising research, was "not too disturbed" by the women versus men competition. But she said that women are at a slight disadvantage.
"Employers feel men are better qualified especially for meeting people." she added.
"It is much harder for women to get into the field of radio-TV than men," said Carol Phillippi, Salina senior, whose special emphasis is TV and performance.
SHE SAID women usually have to start as secretaries in the field and then gradually work up to the position they want, whereas men are hired outright.
Donald E. Metzler, associate dean of engineering and architecture, said, "The picture of the engineer over the drawing board and outdoors is no more."
Diane Upton, Wichita senior in the field of TV sales management, said. "The field does not offer the security you find in education, but it is more challenging."
The prospects for women in the field of engineering are equally encouraging.
HE SAID if the woman has a college degree and the perseverance, there is no reason why she cannot be
just as successful in the field of engineering as the man.
One of the major requirements of a person entering the field, Prof. Metzler said, is that he or she be interested in math and its application to various problems.
He said more than 200 company representatives come seeking applicants yearly. They are always asked two questions by the school, Prof. Metzler said. Is there any racial discrimination and is there any discrimination between men and women? He said more than 70 per cent answer no to both questions.
"Oil companies would be glad to hire women." Prof. Metzler said, "but they would not place them in jobs requiring strenuous activity such as traveling or climbing ladders on oil refineries."
THE ENGINEERING school averages 260 graduates per year and of these two or three are women. Prof. Metzler said that in the last few years there have been fewer women in mechanical and chemical engineering and more in the field of architecture.
Harriet Rigas, Lawrence graduate student, who is working on her Ph.D in electrical engineering, said employers expect more of a woman academically.
"YOURE A novelty in all your classes," said Rhonda Riling, Lawrence sophomore in chemical engineering. She said some men students commented, "She won't be here long."
"But as time goes by they come to accept you," she said. "The place of women in engineering isn't really
travel's a picnic...
established yet. It is in the pioneering stage."
Georgia Wooldridge, Independence, Mo., junior in architecture said, "Good students have paved the way." She said the main differentiating factor is the physical demands—such as carrying heavy equipment.
"IT DOESN'T bother me," said Carol Ann Jones, Walnut freshman in aeronautical engineering. "It seems they have been encouraging women to enter the field."
"I think if you have the ability companies will recognize it and not let it pass by," she said.
Officials in the three schools said the natural role of woman as wife and mother presented the automatically natural question in the minds of employers. "How long will she stay on the job?"
Linda Dotson, Kansas City, Kan., sophomore in aeronautical engineering, said the fact that there were a few women in the field drew her to it.
He gave an example of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, which hires lawyers for many services such as reviewing applications for social security.
One factor limiting women in the three fields is marriage.
"LAW IS a communication of ideas," he said. "It requires fluency in oral and written expression."
OF THE THREE fields, law proved to be the most unpromising and discouraging for women.
Paul E. Wilson, professor of law and head of the placement bureau, said the law school usually averages about 40 or 50 graduates and that occasionally one or two women are among them.
"Most women avoid trial law," he said. "It is rather rough and tumble and women are at some disadvantage. A woman has to be fairly thick-skinned. Trial of law suits is not a place where gallantry is evident."
"Most government agencies make no distinctions between men and women," Prof. Wilson said. "Some even feel women are better suited to some fields than men."
PROF. WILSON noted that many law firms will not hire women for trial work. He said most women go into library law, research, government work, and such specialized fields as family law and law concerning juvenile courts.
Most of the women interviewed realized this factor and the handicap it presented. Many felt it would be possible for a woman to combine a career and marriage, that is, if there were an agreement between husband and wife.
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