| dc.description.abstract | This basic qualitative study explored the career experiences of women working in STEM fields in Lebanon. Guided by career construction theory (Savickas, 2002), I conducted individual, in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 21 women in Lebanon to address the study’s three research questions: “what leads women to enter STEM fields in Lebanon?”, “what are the career experiences of women professionals in STEM fields in Lebanon?”, and “what impacts women’s experiences in STEM careers in Lebanon?”. The study participant’s, each having at least eight years of experience in their field, reflected on how they constructed their STEM careers in Lebanon. Five categories were identified from the data analysis: (a) vocational choice; (b) career accomplishments; (c) career challenges; (d) coping strategies; and (e) career reflection. Findings from this study highlight the internal characteristics that a woman should embody to pursue a career in STEM as well as the constant career reflection that she would be engaging in throughout her career. Specifically, the findings suggest that the organizational practices such as performance appraisals, availability of mentors, and access to network and financial capital are gendered and reflect the institutional context of Lebanon (i.e., the legal system, capital market, education system, culture, and relational influences), which act as constraints to women’s career in STEM fields. The organizational practices evolve as a consequence of the never-ending interplay between changes in the institutional context within which organizations are embedded and the larger macro environment. This interplay further perpetuates a gendered and masculine ideal with respect to STEM employees.
Against this backdrop, this study enhances our understanding of the career experiences of women in STEM in Lebanon by showcasing the strategies that the women adopt to cope with the outcomes of the previously discussed interplays between the institutional factors and the organizational practices. The various coping strategies that the women use either reinforce, reproduce or challenge the gendered and masculine ideal in STEM. Based on the findings from this study, I propose a new conceptual framework for career construction theory, highlighting the role of relationships, context and time. I conclude the study by discussing implications for practice both at the national and organizational levels and suggesting areas for future research. | en |
