Career experiences of educated Syrian women in Türkiye

This study examines the career experiences of educated Syrian women under temporary protection in Türkiye, focusing on how forced migration has reshaped their professional trajectories and labor market participation. Adopting a qualitative research design, data were collected through in-depth interviews with 24 Syrian women residing in a temporary accommodation centre in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye. The study explores the effects of displacement on participants’ pre-existing occupational backgrounds, the barriers encountered in accessing or re-entering the labor market, and the strategies and support mechanisms that shaped their efforts to rebuild professional futures. The interview data were analyzed using descriptive thematic analysis. The findings indicate that forced migration disrupted women’s prior career trajectories and limited their access to qualified employment. Participants reported barriers related to legal insecurity, work permit restrictions, the non-recognition of qualifications, language difficulties, gendered family responsibilities, and discrimination. At the same time, social networks, NGO-supported activities, and vocational or educational opportunities provided partial support for adaptation and professional continuity. The women also articulated future-oriented aspirations related to teaching, public employment, language learning, technical skill development, and legal stability. Overall, the study suggests that the career experiences of educated Syrian women are shaped by the interaction of structural constraints and individual agency within the specific context of temporary protection in Türkiye. The findings highlight the importance of coordinated policies addressing legal access, the recognition of degrees, language and vocational support, childcare, and broader social inclusion to strengthen sustainable career development and labor market integration.