Speakout
Staff members voice opinions on items in the news

Geologist Pippa Jeffcock, 39, is taking a one-year MBA at Imperial. She worked as project manager for an alluvial diamond mining company for six months between August 1998 and February 1999 during Angola's latest phase in the civil war. She speaks about her experiences in a male dominated industry.

"For women in positions of authority, it's often like being flagged as dangerous. Nobody wants you there and there are ways of keeping you isolated. Men who appoint women to these positions think they've done their bit for women's lib. What they actually do is set you up as a target.

"Mining is an archaic institution in that sense. I was hired as new projects manager but the job did not materialise. The company owner wanted to prove how liberal he was. I think he did it to annoy the other people in management as much as anything else.

"Although my job was based in Luanda, I never worked there.

I spent six months flying back and forward between four mining projects often with nothing specific to do when I got there. I did my best to get involved and tried to help but nobody wanted to involve me.

"My job was high ranking but I had no specific responsibilities.

I was seen as high class totty for management entertainment; it was depressing. I speak three languages and have a masters' degree in geology as well as 13 years' international experience, yet I was often standing in the middle of the mining area controlling the mining - the work of a junior geologist.

"Their attitude was that I was surplus to requirements and they were always looking for ways to set me up. They adopted an attitude of clubbing together and talking with their backs to me.

I thought I'd be light relief but all I got was total disinterest. They didn't give me a chance.

"Men in these isolated locations are often afraid of peeling off from the bunch and working with women as equals since the others may reject them. They can't bear you to succeed. Other women staff are often cleaners or laundry maids and cannot provide any support.

"I don't mind if men are old fashioned and polite and open doors for me if they want to, but I also want them to let me get on with my job. I was unpopular because I didn't get drunk every night and offer myself around. Women who do this ruin our credibility as professional women. I don't see why I have to drink like a fish to fit in.

"The walls had started coming down by the end of six months' struggle but I was fired for being afraid of flying so much.

I complained that I was supposed to be working in Luanda but spent my time in aeroplanes flying over the war zone. Unita shot two of the aeroplanes down and killed everyone on board.

I wanted to do the job for which I was hired. I wanted to be taken seriously.

"I'm now doing an MBA to free myself from being on that token list. I would like people to say, 'she's so qualified, we have to have her.'

I know I'm in a minority in my business but I love my job.

Could men in these industries please move on and enjoy having women around them in a professional capacity? It can be fun and we've got a lot to offer."