A Qualitative Examination of Mexican Immigrants' Career Development

This study examines the variables shaping career development among Mexican immigrants. Based on qualitative interviews with 17 adult, Mexican immigrants, a model describing the barriers and motivators to career development for this sample is offered. Findings indicate that Mexican immigrants' careers are shaped by three sets of interrelated variables: individual-level variables (i.e., personal characteristics and personal goals), group-level variables (i.e., cultural value orientation, immigrant status, and workplace discrimination), and contextual variables (i.e., the state of the labor market and immigration trends). In addition, findings indicate a need to examine progression into higher level line positions separately from supervisory and/or managerial positions.

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