By asking how and with what measure of success, women and minorities fare in comparison to whites in American professions, this book provides original, up-to-date analyses of the fame and fortune of newcomers in professional fields.

Each chapter examines gender and/or racial differences in patterns of segregation and discrimination, career paths, and labor market outcomes in particular professions from a comparative, historical perspective. In so doing, the experiences of educated women and minorities are linked to the broader field of sociology of occupations and professions. Women and Minorities in American Professions unravels complexities in the process of career advancement in white-collar professions and offers comprehensive and interdisciplinary coverage of career achievements and issues for women and minority professionals, including theories of inequality, analyses of the impact of demographic shifts, deindustrialization, and policy changes.