Let’s hear it for the girls

By at home

Move over, lads. There are now more women than men in high status jobs, according to research by Cambridge University

The university report credits this shift to the changing nature of women’s work and improvements in education.

In the past, women were more likely than men to be in manual occupation, but as these types of jobs have declined, it is largely women who have moved into white-collar careers, according to Dr Robert Blackburn, who compiled the report. 

‘A quiet revolution in the workplace means that the widespread idea that women do low-status jobs is now wrong– they are more likely to be found working in the sorts of occupations that both men and women think are higher up the social scale,’ he explains. ‘There was not always this advantage for women; it is part of a significant change in industrialised societies in the last 50 years,’ he adds. But, despite the rise in the number of women doing prestigious jobs, the report, which also examines salaries, reveals that women are still being paid less than men. This supports the findings of the Women and Work Commission, which recently revealed that the gender pay gap has widened to 22.6%.


Secrets of success – by those in the know
Invaluable tips from the top to inspire you to achieve your dream

‘I suppose my main rule for success is very much that I invest in people first. Ultimately, when you have a successful business, it’s because you’ve backed the right management team.’  James Caan, founder and CEO of Hamilton Bradshaw ‘A business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts.’ 
Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group

‘Experience taught me a few things. One is to listen to your gut, no matter how good something sounds on paper. The second is that you’re generally better off sticking with what you know. And the third is that sometimes your best investments are the ones you don’t make.’ 
Donald Trump, property developer

‘If you want success, you can’t make success your goal. The key is not to worry about being successful, but to instead work toward being significant – and the success will naturally follow.’ 
Oprah Winfrey, TV presenter, producer and publisher

‘The key is to fall in love with something. If your heart’s attached to it, then your mind will be attached to it. When you have a passion for something then you tend not only to be better at it but you work harder at it, too.’ 
Vera Wang, fashion designer.


Pictures: getty images

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