Career conversations of professional women: a narrative research study exploring communication strategies, rituals, and goals of professional women who have navigated nontraditional career pathways.

• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2047/D20406250

The literature regarding the career conversations of professional women who have traversed nontraditional career pathways continues to evolve. This study investigated the nontraditional career journeys navigated by professional women in a variety of fields through their communication strategies, rituals, and goals. The purpose of this study was to develop an understanding of the ways in which these women portrayed and defined their career pathways. Such an investigation entailed thorough analysis of their stories regarding their individual career journeys, including the elements that influenced the career choices and decisions they made. This qualitative study employed a narrative research method, with a theoretical framework focusing on communication theory (Tannen, 1990, 1994, 1996, 2015) and self-efficacy theory (Bandura, 1977, 1986, 1997). The purposeful sample consisted of 10 professional women who were presently or formerly employed in nontraditional fields and who currently resided in the Delaware Valley region, New Mexico, and North Carolina. The researcher conducted a preliminary 15-minute telephone call with each participant, followed by followed by a 45- to 60-minute semi-structured one-on-one interview. Data analysis employed a deductive approach, adhering to the guidelines established in theory-driven thematic analysis. After coding, eight themes were identified describing the participants' nontraditional career choice experiences. Four conclusions emerged from this study. First, life decisions made by professional women are strongly influenced by family members. Second, academic achievement is a key component in preparation for career success. Third, family member models influence values, work ethic, and lack of career boundaries. Fourth, some workplaces continue to embody environments of toxic masculinity/masculinity contest cultures. These conclusions are the catalyst for implications for practice and recommendations for stakeholders, including women who are considering nontraditional careers, human resources professionals, for-profit and nonprofit senior management, career consultants, and secondary and postsecondary educators. Future research is suggested to explore the career journeys of numerous other demographic groups, including men who are considering nontraditional careers, the ways in which occupational choices are impacted by significant life choices, and the ways in which occupational ambitions and choices develop over time. --Author's abstract