You Have Not Because You Ask Not

While digging for data on Latina and Black women in the Information Industry, I found myself stuck. Many of the studies and articles recommended and reviewed included data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But for some reason I could not disaggregate the data to isolate the groups of interest. I didn't know what I was doing in this space, I was figuring it out as I went along the way.

I reached out to my professors, and one responded that if I was able to get as far as I did in my attempts, then there should be a way to get what I was looking for if I continued to manipulate the tables [paraphrase]. I tinkered, played, and then scrolled down to where it said "contact" and I called the Bureau. No one answered, but I left a message. Cody gave me a call back and was able to direct me to a published table that contained more than what I needed and parceled out the number of Latina and Black women in the Information Industry.

In another iteration of my digging, I wanted to find out the number of Latina and Black women in Computer and Mathematical Occupations. Once again, I found myself stuck. I could only get so far by myself. So, I picked up the phone and called the Bureau. Who gave me a call back? Cody. This time around we were not as successful with the published data. But, he knew who could help. Through a few clicks, Cody directed me to the Contact CPS (Current Population Survey) page where I submitted my request for data. Before the day's end, I received an e-mail from Roxanna with a table of unpublished data that contained the information I was seeking for 2019.

The next day I realized that I should have asked for the same years as the ones gathered for the Information Industry. And upon a second request, in what seemed to be an effortless gesture, Roxanna sent another e-mail containing unpublished data tables of what I needed to get unstuck in the background of my dissertation proposal. Her e-mail contained disclaimers regarding unpublished data and changes in reporting to reflect the 2010 U.S. Census, all of which I included in the appendix of my proposal.

Think about these exchanges this way...what one person struggles over, another person does everyday.

If you need help, then go to the source or someone who is resourceful in their work.

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