Quote by Pauline Neville-Jones
When I first left university, I thought about going into the private sector. But I discovered when I went to interview that I could only have a career in the back office, or doing HR. The attitude was, 'My dear lady, you cannot possibly think about going on the board.'
Summary
This quote highlights the gender bias and limited career opportunities faced by women in the private sector. The speaker, a woman who had just graduated from university, expresses her frustration with the lack of upward mobility and the perception that women are not fit for higher positions, such as being on the board. It reflects the prevailing attitude and discriminatory practices that hindered women's professional growth and relegated them to low-level roles like HR or back office work.