Female Lecturers Managing Work-Family Conflict with Career Autonomy

This study investigates the impact of Work-Family Conflict (WFC) and the Glass Ceiling (GC) on Job Satisfaction ( JS) among female lecturers in Catholic higher education institutions in Indonesia. Data from 269 respondents were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Results show that WFC and GC negatively impact job satisfaction by hindering career progression and creating tension between work and family roles. Protean Career Orientation (PCO) was identified as a key mediator, enabling women to maintain higher job satisfaction despite these barriers. The findings suggest that fostering PCO through targeted development programs can help institutions support female lecturers in navigating institutional challenges and improving job satisfaction.