Sometimes being a woman in a male-dominated workplace can feel a little like pushing a boulder uphill.
Sometimes being a woman in a male-dominated workplace can feel a little like pushing a boulder uphill.Having started my career at a financial institution and continuing to work in the world of SEO – an industry where women make up only 30% of the workforce – I should know.
The challenges are real, but so are the opportunities to build something powerful: a support system that not only helps you survive but thrive.
Whether you’re the only woman at the table or one of a few, the key to success is remembering you don’t have to go it alone. Here’s my advice on how to find your people, build your confidence, and create an empowering network.
Find Your Fellow Warriors
The first step? Connect with other women in your workplace. This can be a little daunting at first – especially at the start of your career or when working remotely – but trust me it’s worth it. Reaching out for a coffee chat or lunch is a good way to start.
If your company has a women’s network or employee resource group, that’s an ideal opportunity to meet and connect with other like-minded women. Based on experience many companies don’t, but this doesn’t have to be a blocker, often there are other women in the same position looking to connect, so why not start your own group?
I highly recommend also reaching out to women in other departments, locations, or even partner companies. This provides excellent networking and learning opportunities and the wider your circle, the stronger your support!
These connections are more than just social—they’re lifelines. Sharing experiences, swapping stories, and simply knowing you’re not alone can make a world of difference. The women you curate around you in your career will celebrate your wins, help you navigate tough situations, and remind you of your worth when imposter syndrome creeps in.
Allies are Everything
While support from other women is incredibly important and validating, your male colleagues can also prove to be invaluable advocates in the workplace. Keep a keen eye out for colleagues who listen, value your ideas, and are outspoken in their support of you. These are the people who will back you up in meetings, call out bias, and help create a more inclusive environment for you and other women.
I’ve found that depending on experience and personality, building these relationships can take a little extra time but it’s worth the investment. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple, “Hey, I appreciated your support on that call” or “meeting” to start the conversation.
Side note: be on the lookout for colleagues that pose as allies but instead take space from you – a good ally doesn’t try to speak for you—they help make sure your voice is heard.
Network, Network, Network
We’ve touched on the importance of this within a company but remember your support system doesn’t have to end there. Whichever career path you go down in the tech world, there are many women as open and keen to connect as you. Join online and IRL communities – like Women in Tech SEO and SheCanCode – participate in social forums or slack groups and attend industry events.
These networks are networking goldmines rich with advice, job leads, and friendship. You’ll meet women who’ve faced the same challenges—and found creative ways to overcome them you can learn from. Plus, there’s something truly empowering about being part of a larger movement for change.
To start the networking journey, I recommend junior members of my team attend one new event or join one new community each quarter. You never know who you’ll meet!
Be a Mentor, Find a Mentor
Mentorship is a two-way street, and it’s one of the most powerful tools that I’ve found for growth. If you’re early in your career, seek out mentors who inspire you—inside or outside your organization. If you’re not sure where to start looking for a mentor in a similar career to mine and you are interested in finding one outside of your organisation I highly recommend Bloom. Don’t be afraid to reach out; most people are happy to share their journey and advice.
If you’re more experienced, offer to mentor others. Sharing your story, lessons learned, and encouragement can have a huge impact. You’d be surprised how much you learn a lot from your mentees, too!
I also highly recommend peer mentorship —supporting and learning from colleagues at a similar career stage—can be just as valuable as traditional mentoring.
Speak Up!
️My God I wish someone had given me this advice earlier in my career! It’s intimidating to start, but it really bloody matters. If you see or experience bias, microaggressions, or exclusion, speak up. Your voice is powerful, and you’re not just advocating for yourself, you’re paving the way for others and it’s likely they’ll support you.
While it’s not always appropriate to confront someone in the moment, speaking up can be a private conversation with a manager, a suggestion for process improvement, or sharing feedback with HR. Every action counts and when you use your voice, you empower others to do the same.
Final Thoughts: You Deserve to Feel Supported
Building a support system in a male-dominated workplace isn’t always easy, but in my experience it’s absolutely possible and worth it. You deserve to feel seen, heard, and valued in your career. By finding your tribe, nurturing allies, expanding your network, mentoring, and speaking up, you’re not just supporting yourself—you’re helping to build a more inclusive tech industry for everyone.
