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As a woman, working in a male-dominated field can be extremely rewarding. Many technology and industry-driven corporations are seeking to increase diversity in their workforce, particularly among their management ranks. Opportunities abound to both gain initial employment and to advance within such companies. This is good news, considering that such industries typically offer higher pay and greater benefits than traditionally-female industries. For many women, however, working with mostly male counterparts can be intimidating. You will still find many men in these fields who are unaccustomed to working with women, and some may be wary or even openly resentful of your presence.

By following some of the tips listed below, women can help to create a more comfortable environment and thereby increase their chance for success. Although some of the suggestions are admittedly less-than-PC, remember that many men in these industries are still growing accustomed to having women in their midst. In many ways, working in such fields is like taking a thirty or forty year step back in time. In these still-early days of breaking barriers, it can be helpful to ease into the transition. Employers are more likely to advance a worker that is admired by her peers. While performing your job well is the primary factor in gaining peer respect, there are also a number of subtle dynamics that can influence how your male counterparts judge you. These tips will help with those less-obvious nuances. There are certainly more direct approaches that you can take, but this may be a case where subtlety is the most effective path.

1. Avoid the Hen House
It isn't necessary to treat the other women in your workplace like they are the plague, but it is wise to treat them as if they have the plague. Men become nervous when they see women in packs, and many automatically think that you are talking about them or engaging in some form of anti-male gossip. When you are working with mostly men, you need to demonstrate that you are comfortable being around men. This is especially important if you are interested in gaining a management position where you will be overseeing the work of primarily male employees. It is best to be polite to the other women at your job, and engage in brief, work-related exchanges. Skip the lunch-time walkercise, the mid-afternoon coffee klatch, and any form of on-site female mentoring or support group meeting. Rather than being seen as "one of the

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