Women as Ontario College Presidents and Vice Presidents: The Experiences that Positively Influenced Their Career Journey

This narrative inquiry study centres on the experiences that female Ontario college presidents and vice presidents perceive as being influential on their career success. Despite near gender parity at the executive level in the Ontario college system, little is known about the career journeys of the women who occupy those senior leadership positions. Most of the existing research on women’s careers highlight the barriers that hinder women’s career advancement, and there is limited literature on the positive factors that help her to achieve, and succeed in, a senior level role. This study seeks to address this gap by examining the experiences that some female Ontario college presidents and vice presidents perceive to be influential on their career progression.The unique nature of this study requires that it have theoretical underpinnings in gender and career development. Liberal Feminism and Social Cognitive Career Theory (Lent, 1994) make up the conceptual framework that provides foundational context for this study and insight into the possible influencing factors on the participants’ experiences. Interviews were conducted with twenty-three participants and the findings indicate that a multitude of factors contribute to the participants’ career success. Data analysis resulted in four overarching themes that categorize how these women describe their career success – support, connection, resilience and courage. The first theme highlights the support and encouragement received from others and how that positively impacts the participants’ journeys. The second theme stresses the importance of connection for senior female leaders. The third theme demonstrates how courage is required to make difficult decisions, call out stereotypes and to be an authentic leader. The final theme focuses on how resilience enables the participants to overcome adversity and persist in their careers. Data analysis of the narratives of the participants in this study also resulted in eight success strategies for aspiring women college leaders and four implications for practice for Ontario colleges to consider to better support female leaders within the system. The success strategies are – be purpose driven; build your network; say yes to opportunities; get out of your comfort zone; build your knowledge; get involved outside of your institution; know what you are good at; and take time away. The implications for practice include developing formalized multi-level networks across the system to create opportunities for mentorship and sponsorship; encouraging involvement in the community; offering flexible work arrangements; and ensuring vacation time is utilized.

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