by Wonsuh Song
I recently had the opportunity to accompany a geomorphology field trip in Hong Kong. Over fifty students participated in this large-scale excursion, and two female graduate student TAs (Teaching Assistants) were assigned to assist the professor. In a field trip setting, a TA’s role goes far beyond mere “errand-running.” They must manage dozens of students so they arrive on time and move safely, coordinate with external drivers or guides, and literally “assist the professor in ensuring the smooth operation” of the fieldwork.
However, the reality I witnessed on-site was not what one would hope for. One TA, who was from mainland China, showed up in shorts despite cold and rainy conditions. It was hard not to feel that she lacked basic preparation and awareness for the location and weather. Then, around lunchtime, she suddenly announced she had a stomachache and called an Uber to go home. Despite appearing relatively fine while having lunch, she left soon afterward, neglecting any follow-up tasks for students or proper assistance for the professor.
Another TA, from Pakistan, seemed preoccupied with her five-year-old daughter she had left back home, as she was on the phone in her native language almost the entire day. Her support or oversight for the students in the field was practically non-existent, and she showed no sign of professional conduct. Immersed in private phone calls at the expense of her actual duties, her behavior was an unfortunate example of how women’s expertise can be called into question in academic disciplines that rely heavily on on-site work.
This experience led me to wonder if the social prejudice that “hiring women in professional fields is disadvantageous” might not be mere prejudice after all. Of course, gender discrimination still exists, and society often sets unjustly high hurdles for women. When I decided to pursue geomorphology, I was frequently warned that “they don’t hire female geomorphology professors,” and during my studies in Japan, I encountered outdated policies such as “female students are assigned to lab work rather than grueling field investigations.”
Nevertheless, the behaviors exhibited by the TAs on this particular field trip were disappointing. Even in a position where one is entrusted with both academic and professional responsibilities, repeatedly saying “I’m leaving early because of menstrual cramps” or “I’m neglecting my tasks because I’m busy talking with my family” will only reinforce prejudices about hiring women. Particularly in jobs that demand physical endurance and concentration—like fieldwork—such biases tend to become more deeply rooted.
We must remember that women, more than anyone, have long fought against such biases in order to secure greater opportunities. In this sense, even a few instances of “lack of preparation” or “unprofessional behavior” on the field can undermine the achievements and efforts women have accumulated thus far. To combat the unfair treatment women still face in the workplace, it is all the more important to emphasize accountability and professionalism on the field.
We are in a transitional period where women are advancing into a broad range of fields. It may be too optimistic to assume that prejudice will vanish overnight. However, at the very least, women themselves must not neglect the attitudes and responsibilities required of professionals. Personal circumstances notwithstanding, basic preparedness for the job, accountability for one’s role in the field, and a spirit of collaboration with others must come first. Only then can we gradually chip away at the notion that women inherently suffer disadvantages solely because they are women.
Ultimately, the issue is not “women” per se, but rather “professional conduct.” The path to proving that negative stereotypes about women are wrong lies in women themselves displaying their expertise on the field and actively engaging in their roles. With continued effort, more and more women will confidently work in so-called “demanding field positions,” paving the way for a future where ability—rather than gender—is the only standard by which one is measured. I hope that day comes soon, and that along the way we can all be steadfast allies to one another.
Wonsuh Song (Ph.D.)
Lecturer at Shumei University / NKNGO Forum Representative
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