Career counselling for women managers at mid‐career: Developing an autobiographical approach

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a framework for career counselling designed particularly to support the career development of mid‐career women managers. This approach is referred to as an autobiographical approach to career counselling. The practical application of the approach is described.

Design/methodology/approach

The autobiographical approach draws upon social constructionism and narrativity. It was developed and applied together with 22 women managers. Various methods were used as narration tools.

Findings

At mid‐career, women managers are often in a transition process in their career. They can be expected to benefit from counselling that focuses on their long work experience and from their willingness to make new career moves, and contributes to their own understanding of their strengths and motivation in their search for more meaning into their careers – and into life in general. The career autobiographies of women do not reflect the continuous, uninterrupted upward mobility that is traditionally considered typical of a “normal” managerial career. The study suggests that there is a need to change the dominant understanding of a “normal” career in management.

Originality/value

The contribution of this study lies particularly in bridging the gap between theory and practice by applying an action‐oriented approach.

Citation

Lämsä, A. and Hiillos, M. (2008), "Career counselling for women managers at mid‐career: Developing an autobiographical approach", Gender in Management, Vol. 23 No. 6, pp. 395-408. https://doi.org/10.1108/17542410810897526