Didnt get internship, wanted "a female perspective"

Are you kidding me? Im a Mechanical Engineering major and had an internship last summer. Got an interview for a different place. I was told after the interview today that it was down to 2 people, me and someone who came in the day before. He called me later that day and said I didnt get it, because they were going in the direction with a female. He specifically told me I was just as qualified and enthusiastic. If I wasnt as good, he would have just said they went in a different direction and that would have been the end of it, but he really made me know that pretty much the only reason why I wasnt hired was because I'm a man.

This was to be a quality control intern at a manufacturing facility.

No company would EVER tell a woman that they would rather have a male perspective (thats what guy told me). It would be all over the news as the most sexist thing ever.

I am ANGRY!!!!!

In other words, your other competitor is hot and he wants some of that perspective.

I really can't think of a better metaphor/pun which is such a shame considering how this situations begs for a really good one lol

Maybe he was letting you down easy

He could have been trying to be nice but accidentally said that. But yeah that's bullshit.

Yes, life is unfair.

That is highly illegal, its a form of discrimination. If you could prove he said that you could take him to court......Maybe call the same guy again and see if he tells you the same answer then record him or something.

No it's not.

It means they have too many men in their firm and they want a stronger female influence.

It would be discrimination if the woman was less qualified, however. It's also illegal to record someone without their prior permission.

Lol, I actually wouldn't be very surprised if that was the case. Not many women working there, and then a HPOA shows up for an interview? You're f*cked. lol

That's illegal in my state. Where do you live? Look into the laws, it might be possible to sue.

That's just not right.

I don't really see it as an issue. You were equally qualified and unfortunately you were not selected. If you were truly equally qualified, then there is no right answer.

Sue for gender discrimination.

At least he was straight up with you.

I personally won't hire a white, or black as generally they only speak English. I much rather hire someone who speaks Spanish and English.

It depends on the state.

Speaking multiple languages can be absolutely useless depending on the job.

Not to mention the fact that there are plenty of multi-lingual whites and blacks.

@Makhaidos: I'm pretty sure that's a form of gender discrimination. Ive sat through enough management and HR classes to pick up on that. Really sounds like the guy that told the TC this is just stupid. Why even risk a law suit by saying that? Smart move would have been to say they just found someone else.

It would be a valid case of gender discrimination if:

1. The business already had a considerable number of women,

2. The other female applicant was less qualified.

However, according to the manager according to the TC, neither of these were the case. When it comes down to choosing between two equally qualified candidates, there's nothing wrong or illegal whatsoever with choosing based on gender--especially if the basis behind that decision is wanting a new perspective for your company.

It would be the exact same circumstance for race.

I do agree that the guy shouldn't have told him why, though.

Shouldn't be ruled out....

Nope. It's not illegal.

Shouldn't be ruled out....

@AdamPA1006:

You should have told him that you are transgender or gay.

I simpatize with you. But sorry to say that in the engineering field there is a severe shortage of women, blacks, and latins. So when a qualified woman, black, or Latino applies for an engineering position they will get priority.

It may seem unfair but as someone in the working world I can tell you that it is ideal to have a diverse working environment whenever possible.

@AdamPA1006: If what he's saying is true and you were both as qualified and enthusiastic as each other, then why shouldn't he be allowed to pick one over another for any arbitrary reason he wants? Would you be less upset if he pick a name from a hat?

I don't understand,

he pulled something out of his ass, so you had to pull something out of your ass?

Ever call an insurance company? Know how the first thing they say is "This call may be monitored for blah blah blah. . ."

Legally, they have to tell you that. And by continuing the conversation, you give permission to be recorded.

It might be a state-by-state thing; I don't know for sure. But in my state, audio recording another person without their permission is illegal--I even need permission to record professor lectures.

Video recording (without audio) is fine though, as long as you're on your own or public property.

Pretty sure that is discrimination.

Not according to the police I talked to earlier this year. But like I said, it might be a state thing.

Why?

Boohoo welcome to real life.

ok,

in the majority of the world, including almost every state in america (a quick check up told me it was on the federal level with the addition of 38 states), you need consent (and foreknowledge) only from one of the participants to the conversation. This brings me back to your opening question- no, I have never had a call to an insurance company begin with 'your call is being monitored'.

tbf, I don't understand the rationales behind the mulltiple party consent rule, at all. can't be arsed to check, though.

Welcome to a world of political correctness.

Its awful isnt it? I dont really have much of a problem doing what they did. They wanted more women, whatever. But what if a company wanted more men? Do I think its OK for a business to do that? Absolutely. Do I agree with the business's right to choose who they want, even based on gender? Absolutely. But women should be able to take it too. If a company told a women "we would rather have a male perspective", it would be all over the news, lawsuits, etc etc. Women need to accept reality the same as men.

@AdamPA1006: are you accepting reality?

Or welcome to the world in which the employer has the right to hire whatever qualified person he or she chooses for whatever reason they wish. Shouldn't you be all for that?

Unless there was a company mandate that required a female be installed in the position. I'm all for the most qualified person being chosen regardless of age, sex, religion, etc. "Wanting a female perspective" suggests to me they chose the woman because they were required to.

According to the TC both he and the woman were equally qualified, so what's the issue?

Tc isn't even mad about it. Just seems mad that others wouldn't handle it as gracefully as he did.

Tc seems to be making himself mad

Welcome to the real world where women are handed everything on a silver platter. Unfortunately your stellar GPA, prior internship experience, Engineering Club Presidency, and countless community service hours just dont stack up against her face, body, and Sorority social chair position

Isn't gender discrimination illegal? I think it's just as bad as racial discrimination. File a lawsuit.