“The Myth of Making It” by Samthi Mukhopadhyay is a hands-on account of what it takes to make it in corporate America. I was drawn to the book because I spent 24 years in the Marine Corps trying to “make it.”
Becoming successful in America is challenging for everyone, especially if you become a manager or leader. However, this book focuses on the plight of women and women of color.
I am a black male, and I never succumbed to the pressure to make the workplace about race. However, it is essential to understand different stories and beliefs from a diverse pool of writers.
The book discusses the pressures of middle management, the challenges of entering jobs with little experience, and the lack of professional (and personal) mentorship.
I walked away from the book, understanding that her struggles were like mine. I blamed my tough work experience on the workplace, saying that the best way to fix it was to become financially independent and leave.
The author truly wants to make the workplace a place where people can commune, learn, and feel safe. This is admirable.
1) Over the years, women have discussed the topic of “having it all.” It mostly meant having a powerful job, spouse, kids, and material things. However, having any of this, let alone all of it, is incredibly challenging.
2) Feminists across the ages have expressed different versions of having it all and how women can succeed in the workforce. Some say to lean into your sexuality, and others say the opposite. In the end, you must be able to read the corporate culture of your place of employment.
3) One of the most important aspects of capitalism is access to free or cheap labor. The nuclear family was “successful” because women performed many of the household duties for free, including cooking, cleaning, ironing, caretaking, and childrearing.
4) “Having it all” was simply a way to say women should have a choice of how they want their lives to look. They can be CEOs, firefighters, teachers, or stay-at-home moms.
5) Human resource managers are more likely to hire people who look like them. This means that bringing more women and women of color into the workplace should produce more women employees.
Ultimately, her journey ended like mine—with burnout. I served 24 years in the Marine Corps and reached the top of the enlisted chain of command.
When I burned out, my wife and two kids were waiting for me. She did not have a family of her own. I look back on my work days with fondness because they were just a means to an end—retirement.
I never tried to change the meat grinder; I accepted it for what it was. I applaud the author for doing the social justice work to change it. It takes grit to bring your passion into a corporation.
This is a great book to read if you are a young woman. It may help you understand what life looks like on the other end of a career. Good Luck!
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