Identifier

etd-03072016-120111

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Education

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

This qualitative study explores the career transitions of women from the mass communication industry to academia using Schlossberg’s (1984) theory of transition. In addition to the job demands as academics and administrators, mass communication leaders must satisfy the demands of the professional communities their schools serve. This calls for a more practical curriculum with media and communication professionals serving as faculty members. For women, the demands appear to have another layer, as women are leaving the journalism industry earlier than men (Willnat & Weaver, 2014). This begs the following questions: Why are women leaving the industry? What are the experiences of women who have left this industry for an academic career in mass communication education? While higher education literature addresses the work-role transitions of faculty, it fails to target an important population: women in mass communication. This study explores the lived experiences of women who have transitioned from the mass communication industry to academic and administrative positions in the academy. Semi-structured interviews with 11 women are conducted to explore challenges associated with the transition, factors related to participants’ desire to leave industry in pursuit of academic careers, and gender-related concerns that define the transition from industry professional to academic or academic administrator. Implications for higher education and mass communication are discussed.

Date

2016

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Secure the entire work for patent and/or proprietary purposes for a period of one year. Student has submitted appropriate documentation which states: During this period the copyright owner also agrees not to exercise her/his ownership rights, including public use in works, without prior authorization from LSU. At the end of the one year period, either we or LSU may request an automatic extension for one additional year. At the end of the one year secure period (or its extension, if such is requested), the work will be released for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Alsandor, Danielle

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_dissertations.3065

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