Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the methods of networking and degree of use of each method, the most effectively used methods of networking, the impact of networking on career advancement, and the demographic profile of California community college women administrators. Procedure. Descriptive and ex post facto research were used in this study. Two hundred eighty women administrators in the positions of assistant dean and above were sent a questionnaire and 218 or a 77.8 percent response rate was obtained. Chi square and ANOVA statistical tests were used to determine significant differences among five levels of administrators. The Scheffe was used to determine the paired groups that were significantly different. Findings. Major findings of this study were: (1) women network more with other women than with men; (2) there was a significant difference among the five administrative levels regarding whether they must leave or if they can stay at their current college for a promotion--the higher the administrative level, the more likely one will have to move; (3) there was a significant difference with the following networking methods, (a) networking with women outside of one's college, (b) networking by women telephoning other women, and (c) with accompanying friends to professional meetings; (4) the most effective networking methods were, (a) joining professional educational organizations, (b) networking with women inside the college, and (c) telephoning other women; and (5) there were significant differences with the impact of networking on promotions--the more promotions one had, the greater the degree of impact. By the fourth promotion, networking had a very high degree of impact. Conclusions. The number of women in administrative positions in California community colleges has increased in the last eight years. Networking is important to career advancement that must be done on a continual basis rather than when one wants a promotion. The higher one moves up within the administrative hierarchy, the greater the degree of impact networking has on the promotion and the more likely one will have to move to another college for a promotion. Further research on women and networking is recommended.