This research was the culmination of my master’s studies which was conducted between Spring and Fall of 2019. On September 9, 2019, my final report was received and submitted to the School of Leadership Studies as approved. In January 2020, I was conferred the degree of Master of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University. You may download the final report here and the associated presentation (pdf) highlights the key findings and recommendations from this research. A research brief can be found by scrolling and you can find out more about me, the author at www.karensd.ca.
TL;DR
Driven by personal experience (they call it mesearch for a reason!) and observations of my peers, I sought to understand the challenges faced by women in mid-life whose careers had been disrupted. The research aimed to inform community organizations, connected by a common focus on local economic development, on how to better support these women in regaining economic independence and security.
AND
This observation is the one that will continue to drive my research further:
After a career disruption, 80% of interviewees turned to entrepreneurship out of necessity, rather than desire.
100% of them did not refer to themselves as an ‘entrepreneur’.
Brief: Women Disrupted - Centering Women's Voices for Social Change
The research focuses on the experiences of women aged 40-64 living in Hamilton, Ontario, who have experienced career disruption.
Key Research Questions:
How might community partners capture the stories of women aged 40-64 in their respective networks, whose careers have been disrupted?
What existing programming from the community partners can be built upon?
Which mediums or avenues for engagement can be used to connect with these women?
How can these women's leadership development, economic empowerment, and economic independence be further supported?
How can the research findings be communicated and future activities planned collaboratively?
Methodology:
The research employed a mixed-methods approach involving:
Online surveys promoted through community partner networks.
One-on-one confidential interviews with women who self-identified as having experienced career disruption.
Photovoice submissions from participants, allowing them to express their experiences creatively through images.
Key Findings:
Financial Hardship: Career disruption often leads to financial hardship for women, with significant income reduction and a long recovery period. Quotes from participants highlight this struggle:
"I wasn't eligible for EI and so I was in a panic. Obviously, when you don't have an income and then you have kids…" (Emily)
"I went from making 6 figures to working for minimum wage at an animal shelter in order to preserve my sanity and self-worth" (S19).
Entrepreneurship Out of Necessity: Many women turn to entrepreneurship as a survival strategy rather than a desired career path:
"I could always sell everything else for everybody else …so, I started my own business.” (Annabelle)
"…the truth of that is, you have to have that entrepreneurial spirit, that driving force, and I don't think I had it enough…” (Laurel)
Positive Disruption: Despite the challenges, some women reported positive outcomes stemming from career disruption, viewing it as an opportunity for growth and change:
“…and then it was just like the big lightbulb, because I don't want to work for companies anymore…. I'm now a consultant….I also started a second business as well. (Flora)
"Two years later, I am now working in a new career/industry that I love that also has great future potential. I now know that getting reorganized was one of the best things to ever happen to me." (Rachel)
Conclusions:
Trust is Fundamental: Building trust with participants was crucial for them to share their stories openly. The community partners' involvement fostered credibility and facilitated access to the target demographic.
Entrepreneurship Programming is Vital: The research highlighted a lack of programming specifically for women aged 40-64 exploring entrepreneurship. The existing focus on younger women excludes this demographic.
Collaboration is Key: Collaboration between community organizations is essential to provide comprehensive support and avoid duplication of services.
Recommendations:
Strengthen System Connectivity: Establish bi-annual meetings between community organizations to enhance collaboration, information sharing, and program coordination.
Adapt Language and Approach: Move away from solely using "entrepreneur" terminology, recognise the value of experience, and position entrepreneurship as building something meaningful.
Increase Inclusivity in Programming: Develop entrepreneurship programs specifically targeting women aged 40-64, considering their unique needs and experiences.
Facilitate Cross-Generational Mentoring: Create opportunities for mentorship between disrupted women and their younger counterparts, fostering learning and knowledge exchange.
Overall Impact:
Implementing these recommendations can positively impact women in Hamilton who experience career disruption, empowering them to regain economic independence and contribute to the community. The collaborative approach fosters a supportive ecosystem, enabling women to thrive and pursue their aspirations. The photovoice submissions, capturing personal journeys and resilience, serve as a powerful reminder of the strength and determination of these women.
For posterity, you may see how the original website here.
Acknowledgements
This research could not have been completed without the voices of the women who chose to share their experiences by responding through an online survey, and by agreeing to be interviewed. They honoured me by trusting me with their stories and their vulnerabilities, and they will forever have my deepest gratitude. Special thanks go to my research partner, Denise Christopherson, CEO of the YWCA of Hamilton who believed in the value of the question, the action of gathering these women’s stories, and the quest of creating positive social change. I am grateful for the support of the leaders of my community partner organizations, David Carter of Innovation Factory (IF), Keanin Loomis of Hamilton Chamber of Commerce (HCC), and Kristin Huigenbois of the City of Hamilton’s Small Business Enterprise Center (now Hamilton Business Centre), who saw the value in the research, and to Andrea Davies of the YWCA, Brigitte Huard of IF, and Marie Nash of HCC for doing all the leg work and amplifying the call-to-action and sharing it amongst their networks. Notable thanks to my inquiry team member Nick Diduck, whose support as a friend and learning partner was untiring and unwavering. My sincere thanks go to my academic supervisor, Marie Graf, for her encouragement and expertise in helping me craft and present a research product that I am proud of. Lastly, my husband, Victor Schulman Dupuis is the one that is most directly responsible for this research. His encouragement and support, financially, materially, and emotionally ensured that I had the space and resources needed to set forth on this academic journey two years ago and bring light to this important question. We should all be so lucky to be surrounded by such privilege and love.