Taking a path working men's vs. women's ball

[Matt S.]

Replying to the OP, I made the decision 4 years ago to work the women's side, after thinking for years that I'd only want to climb the men's ladder. One of my mentors put it best--he said, 'Matt, don't take this the wrong way, but your personality is better for the women's game.'

What he meant was that many of the men's officials he encountered were very egotistical, cut-throat, and selfish...personality traits I don't have and don't want to deal with. In my experience, women's officials are much more about the crew as a whole.

I haven't regretted my decision and have met some wonderful people at the NCAA-W level.

[Nevadaref]

Much easier to advance on the women's side in general, and specifically if the official is female.
The men's side is much more competitive.
Someone else said that you need to decide what you desire. The game is different. Personally, I find the lack of above the rim play on the women's side to be boring as well as the general lack of physical play. I've worked both genders at the JC and small college level. I would not be enthusiastic about seeing 40 NCAAW games each Winter. I just don't look forward to those games.
I've even ceased working girls games at the HS level. In the end, it comes down to personal taste (#1) and practical chances to advance (#2). I will note that males have basically no chance to work an NCAA Final Four on the women's side in the future. May come down to goals vs dreams. Do you have long term dreams or a short term goal?

[Texas Aggie]

There are often other issues. Around here, most small college W games are prior to the M games. You have to get there earlier but also get home MUCH earlier, it seems. Gender can also be an issue when moving up to the DI levels. A large conference supervisor was fired some time back for not using the "proper" number of women in the conference tournament games. Not saying that I've seen women that can't work get hired, but I have seen good men officials overlooked. That's going to happen everywhere -- men's DI, NBA, etc. but it seems the pressure is greatest in DI W to get women on the floor.

That's what I've observed, anyway. Others may have different observations.