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We are strong and we are resilient: Career experiences of women engineers

Author

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  • Shaista E. Khilji
  • Kelly Harper Pumroy

Abstract

With the purpose of breaking down socially derived, implicit assumptions regarding women and highlighting their resilience and strength within organizations, this study focused upon career experiences of women engineers. Findings indicated women constantly navigated gendered social and organizational norms to develop their careers. We found them to employ three distinct coping strategies, conforming to play by the rules, negotiating to play around the rules and defying to establish own rules. The ways in which participants arrived at and enacted on these coping strategies is illustrative of their strength, forethought and self‐directedness. All participants demonstrated high self‐concept and the ability to learn and adapt. The study allowed us to acknowledge prevalence of gendered norms and expectations, while also highlighting women's strength in navigating their careers. We hope that the study is able to illuminate persistence of male perspective in the literature and promote a perspective of women as strong and resilient professionals.

Suggested Citation

  • Shaista E. Khilji & Kelly Harper Pumroy, 2019. "We are strong and we are resilient: Career experiences of women engineers," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(7), pages 1032-1052, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:gender:v:26:y:2019:i:7:p:1032-1052
    DOI: 10.1111/gwao.12322
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Amondarain, Josune & Aldazabal, M. Edurne & Espinosa-Pike, Marcela, 2023. "Gender differences in the auditing stereotype and their influence on the intention to enter the profession," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 37(C).
    2. Layla Branicki & Holly Birkett & Bridgette Sullivan‐Taylor, 2023. "Gender and resilience at work: A critical introduction," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(1), pages 129-134, January.
    3. Mariachiara Barzotto, 2024. "Educational (mis)match in the context of new manufacturing: A qualitative comparative analysis study in five European countries," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(2), pages 2116-2138, April.
    4. Schmitt, Miriam, 2020. "Career success factors of women engineers in leadership positions," Journal of Applied Leadership and Management, Hochschule Kempten - University of Applied Sciences, Professional School of Business & Technology, vol. 8, pages 115-133.
    5. Dinara Tokbaeva & Leona Achtenhagen, 2023. "Career resilience of female professionals in the male‐dominated IT industry in Sweden: Toward a process perspective," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(1), pages 223-262, January.
    6. Uma Jogulu & Esmé Franken, 2023. "The career resilience of senior women managers: A cross‐cultural perspective," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(1), pages 280-300, January.
    7. Anna Grzelec, 2024. "Doing gender equality and undoing gender inequality—A practice theory perspective," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(3), pages 749-767, May.
    8. Colette Fagan & Nina Teasdale, 2021. "Women Professors across STEMM and Non-STEMM Disciplines: Navigating Gendered Spaces and Playing the Academic Game," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 35(4), pages 774-792, August.
    9. Francisco Valenzuela & Matías Sanfuentes & Alejandro Castillo, 2023. "Rescuing gender: An exploration of embodied resilience‐making in the Chilean miners' catastrophe," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(1), pages 177-196, January.
    10. Rachel Ashworth & Sarah Maria Lysdal Krøtel & Anders R. Villadsen, 2023. "Right time to join? Organizational imprinting and women's careers in public service organizations," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(3), pages 773-792, May.

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