Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Leadership & Human Resource Development

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore how Black women describe their experiences with shifting for job attainment, including their perception of identity, and how they interpret and negotiate any outcomes of shifting. The study was guided by the following research questions: (1) How do Black women describe their experiences with shifting for job attainment? (2) How do Black women interpret and negotiate any outcomes of shifting? (3) How do Black women perceive their identity in terms of their experiences with shifting?

Ten participants shared their personal experiences shifting throughout their job attainment process. Each participant self-identified as Black and female, held a professional level position, and interviewed for employment within the last 5 years. The following themes emerged from data analysis: (a) perceptions of Black women and their intersectional identities, (b) methods of shifting, (c) motivations for shifting, (d) signals of safety and danger, (e) the burden of shifting, and (f) the shift from shifting. These interview findings were supported through document analysis of participant résumés and job postings.

Ten participants shared their personal experiences shifting throughout their job attainment process. Each participant self-identified as Black and female, held a professional level position, and interviewed for employment within the last 5 years. The following themes emerged from data analysis: (a) perceptions of Black women and their intersectional identities, (b) methods of shifting, (c) motivations for shifting, (d) signals of safety and danger, (e) the burden of shifting, and (f) the shift from shifting. These interview findings were supported through document analysis of participant résumés and job postings.

Date

1-24-2022

Committee Chair

Robinson, Petra

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_dissertations.5743

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