Before recently, I thought that sexism in the workplace was an immaturity that America had outgrown long ago. I believed today’s society to be one aiming for equal opportunity without discrimination based on gender. Perhaps that was naïve of me to believe, but I have quickly been snapped out of this daydream as I have discovered some of the dirty little secrets of the professional world.

Being a fairly social person, I haven't encountered many situations in which I feel uncomfortable and out of place -- particularly in a professional setting. However, walking into a room full of men looking at you like you are in the wrong place can quickly change that.

There have been many stories about society's problem with objectifying women. These stories have been accompanied by endless debates: Women ask for it in the ways that they present themselves to others, the media make women out to be sex symbols of all shapes and sizes, or some men are just pigs who amuse themselves with women's looks. Though all of these can and have played a role in today’s sexism issue, I still find it surprising how some men are unable to see beyond a woman's physical appearance, and question her professional abilities without even realizing it.

People sometimes fail to realize what a huge impact their facial expressions can make on someone. For example, when I walk into a room full of men and introduce myself, stating that I am a third year Biomedical Engineering student, and I receive looks that say "Oh, so you're actually smart?" or "I thought you were here for a tour or something. You're here to work?” it can be quite degrading and leave me questioning my abilities -- all from one look.

I can't control what men, or anyone else think about other people. What I ask, though, is that they try to keep comments like these to themselves not only by not saying it out loud, but by not painting it clear as day all over their face.

Then there are times when ignorance becomes a problem. When people don't even realize that what they are saying may offend someone. A comment was once made to me about wearing flats to work; implying that the man had expected me to be wearing heels. After I explained that because I was going to do walking around quite a bit throughout the day, I thought it would be more comfortable to wear flat shoes, he replied, "Oh, I just thought women wore heels to work."

Not only did I find this comment ignorant; it was offensive, and I couldn't help but feel objectified. Expecting all women to wear heels to work makes it seem as though we are not expected to do the "dirty work." We just need to walk around in our stilettos and look pretty.

To some extent, ignoring inappropriate comments such as these becomes more and more difficult each time, because I continue to have faith enough that women are, well, should be treated and respected the same as men in the workplace. Each time a comment like these are made, whether it be referencing qualifications (or lack thereof) or physical appearance, I am somehow more surprised than the time before. This surprise quickly turns to anger, and then defeat.

Many people don’t realize how fine the line is between appropriate and inappropriate when it comes to conversation in the workplace. It is very easy to toe this line, and the result of crossing it can be more detrimental that one may think.

I fear that people can be so oblivious to how their thoughts, actions, and words affect others, that they don'trealize that they could be making someone feel as though they don't belong in the industry they're in; that they don't belong in the very place they've been aspiring to be.

So,women: This world can be a difficult and unfair place in more ways than one. We are going to be challenged, knocked down, and discouraged time and time again in our lifetimes. I want to encourage all of you to rise above the put downs, snide comments, and blatant stares. Continue to strive to be who you want to be. Use each of these degrading experiences to push you farther and inspire your successes.

And men: Don't be ignorant. No matter what industry you work in, know that women have a place there just as much as you do. Know that women can succeed just the same as you can.

This is not to say that men do not have professional challenges of their own to overcome. They do. This is also not to say that all men will make the mistake of offending women and their abilities.

This is simply to say that I will not be set back by those men who do challenge me and question my abilities. I will not be discouraged by someone's attempts to make me feel as though I don't belong in this industry.

So no, I don't wear hels to work. And yes, I am in the right place.