[texasprincess]

I would like to point out to all that this is 2006, or am I wrong? So, why are we still being discriminated against? Is it fear?

I read these posts (well, scan) and I look at what I'm going through and I have to wonder "what is going on?" I've just completed my bachelor's degree so I can commit to a full time job now and everyone, EVERYONE, is hiring where I am. So, I figure I'll get a couple of job interviews and maybe even a job. But, I can't even get the job interviews. Silly me, I didn't even consider it might be because I was a female. I just didn't even have a clue why I wasn't getting called. I really started to believe it was me. That there was something terribly wrong with my resume/application. One day, someone suggested it was really because I was a female. Well, not so much suggest as told me. Not just one or two locations, but almost everywhere. How do you prove that?

One place I applied to was looking for firefighter/EMT-I's for full time. I'm a paramedic. So they offer part time to all these guys who have no interest whatsoever in going beyond basic, but they don't know where my letter of "we're sorry you didn't get full time, but come join us for part time," went. I know where it went, it never existed. My application was hand delivered by their number one pick, the guy they begged to come work for them, he brought it in with a strong recommendation. And they don't know where my letter is.

And it goes on and on. I don't want to be one of those females who makes them go, "and that's why females don't belong in the fire service" by going to the EOEC. I don't want to play the female card to get the interview because I don't want to get the job just because of it either.

Someone say something. I'm going for a run.
_________________
Don't hire women? Do you really want to rule out HALF the population?

[rllawson1]

Welcome to the real world, I'am sorry that you have to go through this.
This is why I say, Do not let them get away with this behavior otherwise they will do it to the next person. Stop it now and lets make a difference for the new generation of successful females.
Hope it works out well for you, Good Luck
Robin

[baileydonk]

All I can say is that I keep hearing that on average it takes three years to get a full-time FF position. So just keep putting out those applications, and maybe expand your geographic area. Try not to make assumptions about why you haven't gotten an interview.
_________________
"Twat, quat, bitch, or twunt... Do your job the right way, and get called names you want to hear".

- Denis Leary as Tommy Gavin on "Rescue Me"

[Dora]

Out of curiosity, you may find some of the fire departments that are hiring that already have female firefighters and apply with them. This might be a better chance of finding a more open minded fire dept that way. Another suggestion would be to find some local volunteer f.d.'s and begin volunteering with them, this could work to your advantage or not. For exmaple, when you go on mutual aid incidents you get to know the other fire departments, thus making a name for yourself.

It really is a shame to go through all 4 years of college, ready to hit the ground running and find a brick wall.

Hope this helped,
Whitney
_________________
How Much Deeper Would The Ocean Be Without Sponges?

[ltmalinski]

Texas,
Not to be the harbinger of bad news, but when I got close to finishing my Associate's Degree is Fire Science I became a 'threat' and was passed up for a paid position where I volunteer (6 years at that point) for two drastically less qualified males. When I filed a complaint with EEOC I immediately lost my rank, authority and welcomed status. I was screamed at, belittled, and generally treated like a leper, despite having been there longer than the discriminator. When I yelled back I was 'insubordinate' and labeled a 'behavior problem". My stuff was sabotaged or thrown away, and I was completely left out of the loop.

Hopefully Whitney is right, you just have to find your way into the system, but PLEASE don't let them do anything to you that they shouldn't. You are the only person that will stand up for YOU. While I am not entirely happy about having to file a complaint with the EEOC, I am glad that I stood up for myself.