Hi, everyone!

As a women in engineering, I’ve constantly been questioned and undermined. It gets exhausting. I’ve worked at a student led tutoring center for the past couple years. I love teaching and working with students. I enjoy prepping for each sessions and trying to be the best I can be for my students. Unfortunately, today I quit.

I quit because my director doesn’t value my time nor knowledge. They believe I should be okay with working outside of my scheduled hours since that should come out of my “good heart and will”. I don’t know what world they live in, but I don’t believe in that. I value the time I have, and if they don’t want to pay for the time I spend prepping for each session, so be it.

Years ago, I don’t think I would’ve spoken out and defended myself and just kept the job. Even in other situations, I don’t think I ever have had the courage that I do now. I can’t remember in what movie or show it was, but the talked about how it only takes 10-20 seconds of courage. From there, you keep going.

Although right now I’m struggling with paying my tuition and personal expenses, I am proud of standing up for myself. I know what I am deserving of and am not willing to compromise and be treated as if I’m not worth it. I know I’ll get through it and find a job.

Anyways, here’s to not taking shit from your superiors. Fuck them. And fuck the director for having the audacity to say I should be okay with working for free out of my own good heart. Valuing my time doesn’t make me a bad person.

Here’s to a better future and courage 🍻