Career Development of Professional Women: The Role of Person—Centered Characteristics on Career Satisfaction

Abstract

The female workforce represents talent with a different career mind-set and adaptive strategies reflecting their unique career needs are necessary for retention and organisational competitiveness. This chapter provides insight into the role of person−centered characteristics on the career development and satisfaction of professional women across different career stages. A sample of professional women from various South African organisations (N = 606; Age 25–44 years: 85%) participated in the study. The empirical study showed that core person−centered characteristics (race, job level and total monthly income) were significant predictors of career satisfaction, along with age, marital status, number of children and education level indicating significant difference on the career satisfaction of professional women. The chapter and results of the study provide valuable new knowledge and insights relevant to the career development theory that could potentially inform human resource practitioners with the aim of enhancing the career satisfaction and subsequent retention of professional women.