We are what we choose

Almost anyone interested in going into finance after graduation knows that Goldman Sachs was on campus last week recruiting Barnard and Columbia seniors. But perhaps less widely known is the fact that the company is being sued by three of its former female employees.

These women (one of whom went to Columbia for law and business school) held varying positions: One was an associate, another a managing director, and the third a vice president. But they unanimously claim that Goldman Sachs discriminated against them on the basis of their gender, alleging that the company pays and promotes male employees more than female employees. Goldman is not alone in facing these accusations: Morgan Stanley and Bank of America have also faced similar allegations in recent years.

Gender discrimination is not a new topic in our society, but it is one that is crucial to address, perhaps now more than ever. Yes, we have made undeniable leaps and bounds, and there are facts and figures to prove it. Just 27 years ago, a woman could not even have attended Columbia College with the hope of getting a degree in business. Today, a woman is the dean of Columbia College. Just a few decades ago, education and nursing were the top majors for women. Now, a new study conducted by Forbes magazine and U.S. Department of Education statistics show that business is the top major for women (and men).

But what we sometimes label as change is often only progress: a step in the direction that we want to go. Change takes much longer to manifest itself. Gloria Steinem, the so-called mother of the feminist movement, recently said that we are in the “second stage of resistance,” a period when people think that feminism is a thing of the past and not a necessity of the present. I can’t help but agree with her. If feminism is really no longer necessary, why is there still only a handful of women CEOs running Fortune 500 companies? If we don’t need feminism, then why does the gender pay gap still exist?

A statistical study conducted by PayScale, Inc. surveyed the country for the average yearly salary for entry-level jobs for men and women in 12 common college majors. The results were astounding: The starting pay for a woman with a criminal justice degree is $32,600, but for a man with the same major, it’s about $39,400. Males graduating with a degree in biology can expect to earn about $41,500, while females can expect to earn about $36,500. The liberal arts are no exception to this trend: Women holding a degree in English can expect to make $35,900, while men with the same degree can expect about $40,900. The only major in which women earn significantly more than men is aerospace engineering. The average starting pay for women is $60,200, while the average starting pay for men is $59,200. Yet, only 10 percent of all aerospace engineers are women.

Beyond even the quantitative disadvantages that women have to face in male-dominated industries and careers are the social and cultural obstacles. Whether in an entry-level or a high-powered position, a woman constantly has to find her footing over the delicate eggshells that society has scattered in front of her. She can’t be the high-powered bitch who hides all traces of her femininity, but she also must be just masculine and tough enough to be considered one of “the guys.” And, in the case of the three women currently suing Goldman Sachs, they can’t question or contest their salaries or positions.

Considering all the things that can get in their way, it is amazing to see successful women at the top of their fields. The only thing that is more inspiring is the woman who isn’t afraid to point out the obstacles, inequalities, and discriminations that she had to face on the way there. As a society, we need to speak out against gender discrimination, whether it takes the form of unequal pay, unequal opportunities, or unfair treatment. But as women, it is up to us to choose the path that we are passionate about, despite the obstacles that we will undoubtedly face. It is up to us to make sure we are not underrepresented.

In a few months, sophomores will have to choose majors, while seniors will have to choose careers. To the women among them, I can’t say any more than this: Choose wisely.

Vaidehi Joshi is a Barnard College senior majoring in English. She is the president of CU Chai Chat and a research assistant at the Barnard Center for Research on Women. Two Steps Forward, One Step Back runs alternate Wednesdays.