Women aiming for successful careers in maritime should be more courageous, not worry about failure and expect to be seen as equals, a senior shipping executive has said, reports gcaptain.
Gender diversity
Claudia Paschkewitz, Managing Director of ship manager Hanse Bereederung, believes women are treated much better now than when she joined the sector in 1989 – but feels more work is needed to increase gender diversity.
“Things have improved, although we’re still not where I think we should be as we need more diversity in the industry,” Ms Paschkewitz said during a session at the Women in Shipping Summit. The panellists were asked what when starting out in shipping they wished they knew about career planning, training and transition.
Ms Paschkewitz wishes she had been more vocal earlier in her career. “Don’t be afraid to ask for things – speak up,” she said. “I wasn’t invited out to lunch or to go to industry events with male colleagues; I stayed in the office and answered the phones. I should have asked to be included.”
When starting out in shipping, Ms Paschkewitz believed that hard work alone would help her climb the ranks. Her advice for women planning to make their mark in maritime is to network and to be vocal when they want something.
“Diversity in all its forms is such an important issue,” he said during the Women in Shipping Summit. “We have to be blind to difference – I don’t see a woman or man in front of me, I see a person and that’s the most important thing”, Mark O’Neil, President and CEO, Columbia Shipmanagement.
Growing opportunities for women
Today, there are more opportunities for women to secure senior positions in shipping, according to Mr O’Neil. He cites Ms Paschkewitz as an example of someone reaching the top after facing barriers earlier in her career.
“It’s not acceptable for young women to be left out of lunch meetings or for their voices not to be heard,” Mr O’Neil said. “There is a responsibility on women and men in senior positions to fight the corner for the next generation.”
Women hoping to emulate Ms Paschkewitz’s success should be positive and see any hurdle as a challenge rather than an obstacle.
“Young people coming into maritime have to grab opportunities and be competitive,” said Mr O’Neil, who also urges caution when setting personal goals.
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Source: gcaptain
