On Monday 22nd September, we invited alumna Marisa Mistry (BGS 2021) to speak at the Senior School assembly, which focused on the recent International Equal Pay Day (18th September).

Following her time at BGS, Marisa studied Psychology at the University of Leicester and recently completed an MSc in Organisational Psychology at the University of Manchester Business School. Her dissertation explored women in the workplace, examining how the glass ceiling effect can hinder career progression.

Marisa spoke to her audience about the Equal Pay Act, what it means in reality for women and what is known as the gender pay gap. She also explained that the glass ceiling is a metaphor for an invisible barrier which stops women from reaching the top of organisations, even when they’re just as qualified and experienced as men. 

Marisa reassured her audience that the workplace is improving for women through pay transparency requirements for larger companies and diversity initiatives. More and more companies are putting a focus on recruitment drives for women to access senior positions in male dominated industries.  She also encouraged the students to make use of everything on offer to them, applying for the BGS Alumnae Mentoring Programme and to attend Alumnae Networking events, to both increase their career progression and to expand their network. 

Thank you, Marisa, for providing such a thought-provoking talk and we wish you all the very best as you start your graduate technology job in London on Monday.