I work in AV Tech

That means that I am in charge of Audio/Visual needs in the law school.

Primarily guys work here. I'm the only girl in an office with six men.

Upstairs in Tech support there are no girls, so maybe it's understandable that people are surprised that I work here.

But unbelieving?

Come on, people.

I was sitting at the desk in the AV office and someone came to the door.

Confused man: Hey, do you know where the AV guys are?

Me: I am an AV guy, what can I help you with?

Confused man: Ummm, I just have something for them.

Me: I can take it for you, what do you need done with it?

Confused Man nervously hands me a few cds : tell them this is for the conference to be recorded on.

Me: I will be sure to record it for you.

Confused Man: Uhh, yeah... Well okay.... Um, someone told me they need the AV guys in room 303 if you want to tell them.

Me: I will go help the people in 303, do you need anything else?

Confused Man wanders away confused-like without responding.

Really?

THEN I went upstairs to pick up an extra laptop from Tech support. I have met every person up there at least a dozen times. At least.

I went up said, "Hey guys, can I grab a laptop?"

They all turned to stare.

Confused man 2: Uhhh, are you from Law and Religion?

Me: No.

Russell (the only person in Tech support who isn't awful): She works in Media Services downstairs.

Confused man 2: Oh, did you call up a request?

Me: No, we're just a laptop short.

Confused man 2: How did Russell know you worked downstairs?

Me: We're friends, we've met several times.

Confused man 2: How long have you worked here?

Me: About a year.

Confused man 2: Oh, where have I been? The only girl I know downstairs is Mindy.

Me: Mindy graduated a year ago and hasn't worked here since.

Confused man 2: Oh wow. So, we can't give you a laptop unless you fill out this form.

That is not true. We borrow laptops on almost a daily basis. I have never even seen that sign out sheet. I suspect he did it because he didn't recognize me even though we've met about ten times.

Maybe it's my haircut... Am I unrecognizable?

Maybe it's my womanness... Am I not nerdy enough? Do they think I'm not smart enough?

Let's be honest, I do not have a hard job.

If boys can do it, girls can do it easily.

Maybe that's where the confusion comes in. They assume that a woman so smart wouldn't have to lower herself to working at such a simple job.

Ahh, now it makes sense.