Work experiences of professional West Indian immigrant women in the United States: An exploratory study

This dissertation explores the work experiences of professional West Indian immigrant English-speaking women in the United States. Much study has been dedicated to the experiences and success of West Indian immigrant women and men in service and domestic roles (Bonnett, 1990; Waters, 1999; Foner, 2008). The study explores these professional immigrant women's experiences attaining career success in the United States racial society. Data was obtained from 12 professional West Indian immigrant women using semi-structured interviews conducted by the researcher. These interviews explored: the participants' experiences with immigration, their employment experiences as immigrants, the challenges they faced in their work environments, their experiences in attaining career success, their experiences interacting with non-West Indians and with individuals born in the United States, their social support systems, and their experiences attaining work-family balance in the United States. Major findings include migration motivated by financial and educational improvement, mixed experiences with West Indian cohesiveness and general job satisfaction. Challenges at work included cultural differences, ethnic/racial tensions, being excluded by Americans, and low expectations for professional West Indian women. Some participants also experienced slower career progression, had limited professional and social interaction with non-West Indians, and expended greater efforts in balancing work-family demands, had weakened family relationships with relations back home, and limited use and reliance on mentors and professional networks and associations. Qualitative analysis revealed a high level of career success among these West Indian women, attended by significant psychological, emotional, financial and professional costs. The challenges faced by these Black professional West Indian women in the United States mirror those encountered by some African Americans. Due to their meritocratic outlook and socialization to de-emphasize race some of these West Indian women appeared to be initially unprepared to maneuver these challenges and expended greater efforts to attain career success. Despite participants attempts to develop strong professional and social relationships with non- West Indians many were rebuffed. Participants who established stronger relationships with non-West Indians and West Indians (for example mentoring relationships and professional networking) appeared to experience higher levels of career success in the United States.