Achieving the first executive rung: A phenomenological study of Generation X women in mortgage banking

This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of Generation X women who aspired to be or acquired the position of first level executive in the mortgage banking sector of financial services in the Dallas Fort Worth, Texas area. The research question was: What are the experiences of Generation X women while either aspiring to the first executive level position or while acquiring the first executive level position in the financial services industry? Analysis of women's interviews revealed seven major themes: 1) Generation X women leverage relationships with tenured executives developed during their career for advice; 2) The Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex is an area conducive to quickly advancing into an executive role in the mortgage banking sector of financial services; 3) Generation X women continued to increase their industry knowledge and pursued higher education in an effort to maintain success and overcome learning curves; 4) Generation X women found themselves committing to long hours while aspiring to and upon acquiring an executive title; 5) Generation X women tend to find themselves in competition with other more tenured associates vying for the same roles; 6) Generation X women find their youthful physical appearance to be a deterrent to their executive pursuit; 7) Personality clashes with other female peers, managers, etc. are a challenge for Generation X women pursuing first level executive roles.