Recomposing Life & Career:: Exploring Effective Academic Advising for Mature Immigrant Women

The introduction of new technologies and knowledge require the workforce to adopt new skills and competencies which can only be gained through academia. While many immigrant women prioritize family needs and postpone their own desire to fulfill aspirations for higher education and a professional career, they never give up their dreams. The paucity of relevant literature addressing this subject and my own personal life experience led to the study on academic advising available to mature immigrant women over 45 years of age returning to higher education in their mid-life. This book provides stories of mature women learners and their efforts in recomposing their lives and careers. It narrates the challenges they face, their needs and expectations for higher education, and new career paths. This book should help advisors and teachers in understanding the issues and needs of mature immigrant women learners. It can be used by advisors, counselors and other helping professionals in higher education, and anyone interested in women?s studies, adult learning and occupational therapy. Above all, it will be enjoyed by those wishing to achieve their potential and fulfill their dream.

Katarina Stembera, MA-Educational Studies at Concordia University in Montreal.A chemist for 25 years, she obtained a Certificate in Family Life Education and BA in Human Relations while working as a university research assistant, teaching assistant and personal-academic advisor at the Centre Alternative pour Femme et Famille in Montreal.