When compared with white males, black females are more likely to work as a hairstylist or in higher education. In fact, it’s the second-highest job among black women in the U.S. government. However, despite these benefits, there are still a number of problems associated with being a black female. While we don’t want you to give up on your dream job because of racial bias, there are some career options for black females that may be worth considering.
Doing Hair for a Living is the Most Common Occupation Among Black Females
In a recent study, doing hair for a living was found to be the most common occupation among black women. The next most popular category was customer service. The study participants primarily focused on the time and costs involved in getting a haircut. In fact, the average hairdressing visit can take anywhere from forty-five minutes to five hours. While the costs and time are often similar, many people report that they enjoy changing their looks and experimenting with different styles.
Best Careers For Black FemalesThe study, done by the Joy Collective, analyzed 2,067 women and found that black women were more likely than white women to have changed their natural hairstyle to fit the norms of society. Furthermore, they were more likely to be sent home early from work for hair-related reasons. They also reported that they were judged harsher by their co-workers for their appearance. Moreover, they were more likely to have their hair straightened compared to their white colleagues.
Doing Hair for a Living is the Second-highest Job in U.S. Government
Pressley’s braided hair has garnered her attention, too. Earlier this year, a young woman who was about to go in for a political interview told me that she had just gotten box braids. She was worried about her appearance. I asked her if she had seen any other black female politicians wearing their hair in braids, and she replied that she hadn’t.
While there’s plenty of room for improvement in terms of race-based discrimination, black women still face a number of problems in their everyday lives. In some places, a woman’s hairstyle is discriminatory and may cause a workplace to reject her application. But, she says, her hairstyle is not the main factor.
Working in Higher Education
Black females have historically been underpaid and overworked in higher education, with most of their careers focusing on lower-level service-oriented roles. While there are a number of initiatives to remedy this imbalance, these efforts have been reactionary or symbolic. They are also unhelpful in helping black females advance in their careers. To alleviate this imbalance, institutions must consider new strategies for recruiting, promoting, and retaining black women.
- Institutions must provide career development opportunities for black female academics, such as shadowing or deputizing for senior colleagues, or participation in special projects that give them leadership exposure.
- Institutions must make sure that black female academics receive tailored training. The absence of specialized training in their fields is a major obstacle to advancement.
Furthermore, black women are less likely to receive internal sponsors than their white counterparts, reducing their opportunities for advancement.
The current environment for black women in higher education is hostile and can make career advancement more difficult. Those in senior positions have to navigate the intersections of racism and sexism on a daily basis. In many cases, they face harsh criticism and have to work twice as hard to be credible. They also have to contend with the challenges of the current workplace culture and have to balance multiple roles. These challenges are often unavoidable, but there is hope.
Regardless of the challenges that face black women, there are still many black women who have excelled in higher education. In fact, nearly one in three black women in college today are single mothers. According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, nearly 40 percent of black female students who are single and have parents attend college because they are motivated by economic security and personal fulfillment. Moreover, most of them are first-generation college students.
Working in the Public Interest Sector
There is no clear pattern as to why working in the public interest sector is the best career choice for black females. In general, those in government positions are more educated than their private-sector counterparts. As a result, wages are generally higher in the public sector. Despite this, African Americans earn less than their white counterparts. In fact, if you take a look at the numbers, you’ll find that black females earn nearly 20 percent less than their white counterparts.
The public sector has historically been a more equitable place to work, especially for black and women. Historically, African Americans and women have been overrepresented in the public sector, and the resulting job cuts hurt them disproportionately. However, as the public sector has continued to bleed, it also has fewer job openings. Indeed, state and local government jobs are now the most attractive career option for black women.
These jobs require higher education and an aptitude for learning. They require a lot of responsibility and decision-making, but in return, women can expect good compensation. These jobs are ideal for those who are dedicated to serving the public but who don’t want to be tied to a desk for the majority of the day. You can make a positive impact in your community by making a difference in the lives of many people.
Working in state and local government is a good option for women who want to make a difference. Despite the challenges faced by government agencies, the public sector is still one of the best careers for black women. There is a shortage of jobs in government, and many women would be grateful to be employed in the public interest sector. It is still a very competitive field, but it offers attractive pay and benefits.
Working in Entrepreneurship
One of the most promising fields for young black female entrepreneurs is entrepreneurship. The field offers a wide variety of opportunities to women of color with different backgrounds, skills, and experiences. Some examples of successful black female entrepreneurs include Trinity Mouzon Wofford, who founded the wellness company, Golde. Others include Jade Purple Brown, an independent graphic designer, Franci Girard, and Brittney Winbush, founder of Alexandra Winbush.
According to research, black women remain under-represented in the traditional workforce and are disproportionately concentrated in low-wage jobs. In March, the unemployment rate for black women was 5.5%, compared to the overall U.S. unemployment rate of 3.6%. By contrast, Hispanic and white women had unemployment rates of 2.8% and 4.2%, respectively. As a result, many major retail companies are focusing their attention on creating programs to promote diversity. The diversity programs offer mentorship, financial support, and business opportunities to women of color who have an entrepreneurial spirit.
Another example is Genera Moore, a black American woman who is based in Dubai and is working as an event planner. She also owns a successful auto parts company. For women of color interested in entrepreneurship as a career, it’s important to realize that biases and obstacles still exist, despite the increasing number of black women pursuing higher education. Nevertheless, many women of color need mentorship to help them overcome the obstacles they face.
A recent study by Harvard Business Review indicated that only 17 percent of black women are in entrepreneurship. According to the report, this number is still low because there are few companies that employ women. One of the main challenges in entering this field is the lack of capital. Many women of color struggle to get the capital needed to start a business. In addition, many of them are burdened with debt.
