Embla Fredäng is studying to become a sea captain at the Maritime Academy at Linnaeus University, and she thinks a lot about the stereotypical image that she believes has shaped the profession's reputation.
- There are very few leading female figures in shipping, she says.
Hear Embla Fredäng tell in the clip above.
"Didn't feel welcome"
Embla Fredäng has not yet entered working life, but during her internship she experienced several times that girls were to a greater extent not as welcome as male colleagues in the social dynamics.
- I have been on ships where I have been the only girl, but where I have felt that my colleagues saw my achievements.
Then I've also been on ships where we were several girls, but where it felt like we hid and didn't dare to take a seat, because it didn't feel welcome.
One factor that makes social dynamics important is the particular characteristics of work.
- If you work ashore, you come home after the end of the day.
At sea, you are exposed in a completely different way socially because you both live and work in the same place, says Embla Fredäng.
Bring in more women
What many believe is the solution is to get more women into the industry and thus even out the gender distribution.
At the Maritime University in Kalmar, however, Linnaeus University's figures do not show any major increase in the number of female students.
- I think maybe it is something that will affect my career positively.
The industry wants more women in, says Embla Fredäng.