Re‐incarnating life in the careers of women

Career research has been synonymous with paid work. The ensuing result is a picture of women’s careers framed by men’s experiences. In this paper career development theory is briefly traced to provide a context for a proposed model of women’s careers. This broad, non‐linear model aims to be inclusive of a diverse range of experiences without being deterministic. Internal and external influences in the developmental processes of women are taken into account. The model is built around four facets: explore; focus; rebalance; and revive, each of which is separated by a reflective period of reassessment. Explanation of the model is extended through the use of illustrative cases drawn from previous research. This proposed model of women’s careers is aimed to stimulate and extend discussion and research.