Abstract
Abstract Women are underrepresented in senior leadership roles. One reason for this is the lack of social capital women accumulate in comparison to men. Social capital comes from the network of relationships that creates values. Women have typically struggled to build strong professional networks. This dissertation in practice, explored how women’s lived experiences using social networking sites influenced their career progression to leadership roles. A qualitative approach with a phenomenological design was used to facilitate the understanding of the extent to which women utilize social networking sites for professional purposes to support career advancement. Individual interviews were conducted with eight participants. All participants were millennial women with a baccalaureate degree, currently working, have had at least one job change since university graduation, and are active on social network sites. The data were analyzed and coded. Eight themes emerged: building a professional network, nurturing a professional network, learning and professional growth, obtaining new job opportunities, hiring someone, mentoring through social networking, and advancing a career. There were also three emergent subthemes: connecting, following, and influence. The themes suggest the positive impact social networking has on building social capital and career advancement. The study results led to a recommendation to create a LinkedIn guide and tutorial video for graduating university women. This will benefit women in maximizing the career benefits of LinkedIn. It is suggested these tools be developed through a partnership between faculty and a nonprofit organization that supports the advancement of women.
Keywords: women leadership, social networking, LinkedIn, career advancement