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.
TopBackground
The US Bureau of Census (2000a, b) estimates that by the year 2050, the racial composition of the US will change significantly because of immigrants, with significant increases from African countries. African immigrant population has been increasing and almost doubling in every decade since 1970 (Anderson, 2017; Gambino, Trevelyan & Fitzwater, 2014). By 2017, the African immigrants accounted for 4.8% of the total immigrant population which was the fastest growing immigrant population in the US (Anderson, 2017; Gambino et al., 2014). African immigrants come to the United States for economic, political, and social reasons. Specific reasons may include, looking for employment opportunities, educational advancement, reuniting with family members and escaping from political instabilities in Africa (Arthur, 2000; Frazier, Darden & Henry, 2010). As immigrant families come to the US, the African women continue with their roles as mothers and caretakers (Arthur, 2000). Their collectivistic cultures place greater emphasis on values that promote the wellbeing of the group, such as connection to the family, orientation towards the larger group, respect, and obedience.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Career Reality: The actual career situation that the participants had to deal with after migration.
Career: The profession of an individual.
Career Negotiations: The compromises that participants dealt with to achieve their desire career.
Career Barriers and Challenges: The obstacles and hurdles that participant overcame to achieve their career.
Career Achievement: Sense of accomplishment and or fulfillment and satisfaction that a participant had after getting into their desire career.
Career Identity: A state of professional satisfaction and fulfilment of an individual.
Career Aspirations and Expectation: Professional expectations that participants had before migration.
African Immigrant Woman: Women who were not born in the US and migrated at age 18 and above and had lived in the US for at least 5 years.