Читать книгу The Net Result - Book 2 - Lucille Jr. Orr - Страница 5

Dean, faculty of commerce

University of Western Sydney, Nepean

The last thirty years in Australia have been a “golden age” for women in terms of career advancement. No longer forced to resign from organisations on the advent of marriage, women can now forge any career path they choose if they have the drive, enthusiasm and desire to achieve and to make something of themselves. Whether it’s a career in a large organisation, or the thrill of self-employment, women have many opportunities to test their potentiality. To the career oriented woman in the 1990s, the world is indeed her ‘oyster’!

This year’s contributors to The Net Result 2 represent just how women have progressed in terms of their career paths. The women include two engineers and a vet, a publisher, a tourist operator, a funeral director, a number of training, speaking and seminar presenters and a florist.

Not so long ago many of these careers would not have been considered by women, let alone been open to them! When their stories are read, there is a pattern of risk taking, determination, goal setting, hard work, enterprise, high professional standards, the wisdom and drive to change direction when necessary and the lack of aggressive feminism.

However, despite the progress there is still the element of female-pioneering (such as the engineer from North Queensland and the vet in rural Western Australia). Let us hope that such pioneering never dies; that we never become too blasé for there to be no new fields to conquer or new paths to tread.

Many of the stories also concern achievement in small business and entrepreneurial ventures rather than in large corporations. The women who have sought that career direction mirror a world-wide trend: the movement of women into self-employment to gain autonomy, self-direction and career satisfaction through their own efforts rather than at the direction of others. There is no better way to avoid the ‘glass ceiling’ than to become managing director of your own enterprise!

Another theme also emerges: despite their achievements the women have managed to keep their sense of humour, to show warmth and compassion and to develop philosophies which have stood them in good stead despite obstacles and difficulties.

In six years Australia moves into the 21^st Century. The women contained in this book thus represent the foundation and future on which other women can build. What exciting adventures lie ahead for women? Only time will tell. In the meantime today’s women are forging ahead and testing the boundaries. Out of such activity will come opportunities for other women as new paths are opened, new skills developed, and new contributions made to the benefit of all.

This book also has a dedication to the men in our lives – those who have both helped us and watched our progress. It seems fitting then to offer this encouragement from the great male adventurer, Don Quixote:

I am I, Don Quixote, the Lord of La Mancha,

My destiny call and I go

And the wild winds of fortune will carry me forward,

Oh! Whither so ever they go,

Whither so ever they go,

Onward to Glory I go!

May all women; including those featured in this book, find even greater destiny and glory in the days ahead.