UNTIDY CAREERS: OCCUPATIONAL PROFILES OF RE‐ENTRY WOMEN

The increasing number of women re‐entering the labour market, after an interruption in employment primarily for the purpose of family formation, suggests a need for a career theory and counselling practice which accommodates female career behaviour. Unstructured interviews with eight re‐entry women revealed that their career development did not conform to the orthodox male model. Career development was irregular and largely contingent on familial circumstances. Middle adulthood ushered in a dynamic period of self‐development. In the light of the findings, the importance of career counsellors understanding the unique nature of female career development, and consequently attending to the needs of re‐entry women, is stressed.