Constructing a Career in a Changing World: Women’s Career Processes and Barriers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the career experiences of early-career women teachers and the career barriers they encounter within the context of the changing world of work. The study was conducted using a qualitative research approach, and the data were analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis. The participants consisted of 12 early-career women teachers. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The analysis identified three main themes related to the participants’ career experiences: Uncertain and Fragile Career Experiences, Psychological Pressures of Digital Working Life, and Relational Dynamics in Career Processes. Findings regarding career barriers were organized under two overarching themes: Structural Barriers and Personal Challenges. The findings indicate that women teachers experience their career processes within the context of uncertainty, future anxiety, performance pressure, and relational responsibilities, such as striving to balance work and family life. Participants identified working conditions, perceptions of the glass ceiling, and safety concerns as major structural barriers limiting their career development, while concerns about adapting to technological changes emerged as a significant personal challenge. In addition, some participants with experience in digital working environments reported that blurred work–life boundaries, pressure to remain constantly visible accessible, and digital fatigue negatively affected their career experiences.

Keywords

• Career barriers
• Career development
• Thematic analysis
• Women
• Working life.

Ethical Statement

This study followed all the rules stated to be followed within the “Higher Education Institutions Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Directive” scope. None of the actions specified under the title of “Actions Contrary to Scientific Research and Publication Ethics,” which is the second part of the directive, were not carried out. Ethics committee permission information Name of the committee that made the ethical evaluation: Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University Date of ethical review decision: 30.01.2026 Ethics assessment document issue number: 01/16

Değişen Dünyada Kariyer İnşa Etmek: Kadınların Kariyer Süreçleri ve Engeller

Abstract

Bu araştırmanın amacı, değişen çalışma yaşamı bağlamında erken kariyer dönemindeki kadın öğretmenlerin kariyer süreçlerine ilişkin deneyimlerini ve karşılaştıkları kariyer engellerini incelemektir. Araştırma, nitel araştırma yaklaşımı doğrultusunda yürütülmüş ve veriler refleksif tematik analiz yaklaşımı kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Araştırmanın katılımcıları, erken kariyer döneminde bulunan 12 kadın öğretmenden oluşmaktadır. Veriler yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler aracılığıyla toplanmıştır. Analiz sonucunda kadın öğretmenlerin kariyer deneyimlerine ilişkin “Belirsiz ve Kırılgan Kariyer Deneyimi, Dijital Çalışma Yaşamının Psikolojik Baskıları ve Kariyer Süreçlerindeki İlişkisel Dinamikler” olmak üzere üç temel tema belirlenmiştir. Kariyer engellerine ilişkin bulgular ise Yapısal Engeller ve Kişisel Zorluklar olmak üzere iki tema altında toplanmıştır. Bulgular, kadın öğretmenlerin kariyer süreçlerini belirsizlik, gelecek kaygısı, performans baskısı ve aile–kariyer dengesini sağlama çabası gibi ilişkisel sorumluluklar çerçevesinde deneyimlediklerini göstermektedir. Katılımcılar, çalışma koşulları, cam tavan algısı ve güvenlik kaygılarının kariyer gelişimlerini sınırlandıran temel yapısal engeller olduğunu belirtirken, teknolojiye uyum sağlama konusunda yaşadıkları kaygıları da önemli bir kişisel zorluk olarak ifade etmişlerdir. Ayrıca dijital çalışma deneyimine sahip bazı katılımcılar, iş ve yaşam sınırlarının belirsizleşmesi, sürekli görünür ve erişilebilir olma baskısı ile dijital yorgunluğun kariyer deneyimlerini olumsuz etkilediğini vurgulamışlardır.

Keywords

• Çalışma yaşamı
• Kadın
• Kariyer engelleri
• Kariyer gelişimi
• Tematik analiz.

Ethical Statement

Bu çalışma, “Yükseköğretim Kurumları Bilimsel Araştırma ve Yayın Etiği Direktifi” kapsamında belirtilen tüm kurallara uygun olarak yürütülmüştür. Direktifin ikinci bölümü olan “Bilimsel Araştırma ve Yayın Etiğine Aykırı Eylemler” başlığı altında belirtilen eylemlerden hiçbiri gerçekleştirilmemiştir. Etik Kurul İzin Bilgileri Etik değerlendirmeyi yapan kurulun adı: Erzincan Binali Yıldırım Üniversitesi Etik inceleme kararının tarihi: 30.01.2026 Etik değerlendirme belgesi numarası: 01/16

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