Career Identity Development Process

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the career development process of African immigrant women living in the US. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences these women undergo after migration and how they negotiate these experiences to develop their careers. A qualitative inquiry, motivated by a grounded theory methodology, was used to collect data. In depth interviews using open ended and semi structured questions were used. Five participants were recruited using purposive and snowball sampling. Data was transcribed from the semi-structured interviews conducted with each participant and analyzed using thematic analysis. Five themes were generated, revealing gender specific experiences of these African women immigrants during their career journey. Data collected also revealed barriers and challenges in the process of career identity development process. The findings might provide useful information to career counselors who play a key role in helping immigrant women navigate through career transitions in a new country.