Spare account.
I am a female engineer. For my 10+ years of professional experience I've never had the same job for more than 2 years because some mid-level male always got spooked by a smart female. I have clawed myself into low management a couple of times – always with proven success – only to be austed at the next management change. And yes, I have taken it to the union and to senior management – I've even sent the story to the press for good measure. nobody gave even half a shit.
Sometimes I went when things got intolerable, sometimes I got laid off during restructuring (or defacto laid off like being ordered to work too far from home for being able to manage with small children). After my last job I had to take sick leave for burnout because it got this bad.
I'm no attempting to work as an independent consultant. But without the network and a little help from daddy that just seems impossible in today's world. The business is slowly failing and I am terrified shitless of having to go for a 9-5 again. If anyone will even still have me with my fucked up CV.
If you aren't born into the right body and with the right network, do you even have a chance?