In the Right Place at the Right Time

Women’s work participation and education levels are becoming increasingly similar to those of men across the developed world, and careers have also become increasingly important for women in recent decades. Delaying child-bearing, returning to work after maternity leave, and in some (admittedly rare) cases even consciously deciding not to have children, are signs that women are serious about their careers. Until relatively recently, however, careers were the domain of men and as such they are still defined with reference to men and their typical progression paths. Even today, a career is more often than not defined as ‘an ordered sequence of development extending over a period of years and the introduction of progressively more responsible roles within an occupation’ (p. 184).1 This definition is often referred to as a stage theory of career progression and is based on the assumption of a linear and predictable progression of positions with increasing levels of accountability and compensation.2 It is widely used and drives organizations’ expectations and actions about their employees’ careers. Unfortunately for many women, though, it is a definition that typically bears little resemblance to their work realities. While women tend to progress as fast as men in the early years of their careers, sharing similar experiences and aspirations, soon experiences start to diverge.3