ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the nontraditional career paths of women in today’s society. Tan and Raigoza discuss the various factors contributing to the tendency of women to leave their positions at corporations at some point in their career and the increasing number of women who chose to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors. The career decisions and transitions that women make during the course of their lives vary and are influenced by women’s relationships and their motivation to lead. The most significant factor discussed is the importance of balance, as one of three components of the kaleidoscope career model (KCM). With work-family conflict playing a larger role in the life of working women than working men, they attribute the desire for balance to the prevalence of nonlinear career paths. This discussion includes the role of domestic responsibilities such as caring for children and the elderly, lack of advancement within corporate organizations, and high motivation to lead (MTL) as considerations that women make as they transition into the world of entrepreneurship. Women are relational and motivated to lead and navigate their leadership journey by making career decisions that support their need for balance along with their need for challenge.
