Career Satisfaction and Perceptions of Sex Discrimination Among Women Student Affairs Professionals

Abstract

Women student affairs professionals were survqed to determine their satisfaction with the student a$airs profession, their perceptions of sex discrimination, and the . relationship between perceptions of sex discrimination and career satisfaction. The eflects of age,~ace, relationship status, and parenting status on career satisfaction and perceived discrimination were also investigated.Anne Blackhurst is an associate pyofessor for Counseling and Student Personnel at

Gender, Ethnicity, and Highest Degree Earned as Salary Determinants for Senior Student Affairs Officers at Public Institutions

“…The current study is intended to fill a void in the research, much of which is outdated (Blackhurst, 2000), and does not address issues of salary equity in senior-level positions. A review of the literature concerning women in student affairs reveals discussion of many variables such as career satisfaction, institutional commitment, and perception of gender discrimination (Blackhurst, 2000;Blackhurst, Brandt, & Kalinowski, 1998a, 1998b.…”

“…A review of the literature concerning women in student affairs reveals discussion of many variables such as career satisfaction, institutional commitment, and perception of gender discrimination (Blackhurst, 2000;Blackhurst, Brandt, & Kalinowski, 1998a, 1998b. However, salary research was noticeably missing from studies addressing issues of equity.…”

“…Despite these advances, Blackhurst (2000), in a study of 500 women student affairs administrators' professional satisfaction, cited the continued perceptions of salary inequity and disproportional representation. Further, during the past two decades, research has established that females and professionals of color, when compared to Caucasian males, are represented at much lower percentage rates in senior-level student affairs positions (Drummond, 1995;Evans, 1988;Rickard, 1985).…”

Effects of Mentoring on the Employment Experiences and Career Satisfaction of Women Student Affairs Administrators

“…Variables such as the devaluation of feminine traits and values (Hamrick & Carlisle, 1990;McEwen, Williams, & McHugh Engstrom, 1991), perceived sex discrimination in work assignments and supervisory support (Blackhurst, in press), role cofiict (Blackhurst, Brandt, & Kalinowski, 1998b), and uncertainty about performance expectations and organizational values (Blackhurst et al, 1998b) have all been linked to reduced satisfaction and success for women student affairs adminis- (Blackhurst, 2000).…”

“…in each of these areas during the past 3 decades, recent research suggests that gender equity continues to elude the student affairs profession (Blackhurst, 2000;Twale, 1995).…”