This paper reports on findings of an interpretive study, which used the Kaleidoscope Career Model as lens through which to view the careers of professional women in education. The study used hermeneutic phenomenology, a methodology novel in management and career management to gain a subjective perspective on women’s career experience and what career means to them at different career stages. Findings indicated that women did not “opt-out,” or adopt a clear-cut gender beta career pattern. Rather, they mirrored an alpha pattern with challenge continuing into mid-career. The three Kaleidoscope Career Model parameters operated in an ongoing way in women’s lives, and authenticity was a powerful theme throughout their careers. However, women in late career tended to “lean back”; their desire for authenticity became subjugated by their need for balance. These findings add to extant Kaleidoscope Career Model research and reveal factors, which contribute to women’s ability to “opt-in” rather than out of their careers.

中文翻译：

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女性选择加入？：万花筒职业模式的新视角

本文报告了一项解释性研究的结果，该研究使用万花筒职业模型作为视角来观察职业女性在教育领域的职业生涯。该研究使用了解释学现象学，这是一种管理和职业管理领域的新方法，旨在从主观视角了解女性的职业经历以及职业在不同职业阶段对她们的意义。调查结果表明，女性并没有“选择退出”，也没有采用明确的性别 Beta 职业模式。相反，他们反映了一个阿尔法模式，挑战持续到职业生涯中期。三个万花筒职业模型参数在女性的生活中以持续的方式运作，真实性是她们职业生涯中一个强有力的主题。然而，职业生涯后期的女性倾向于“向后靠”；他们对真实性的渴望被他们对平衡的需要所压制。