Modes of engagement: migration, self‐initiated expatriation, and career development

Purpose – The paper has two goals. The first is to develop a conceptual framework for analyzing the strategies of internationally mobile professionals in managing barriers to their career development. This framework is developed using Duberley et al. 's and Richardson's concept of “modes of engagement”. The second goal is to better understand the nature of the careers that ethnic minority migrants undertake. Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative interviews were conducted with 43 skilled Lebanese migrants. Six additional interviews were conducted with key informants involved in the development and implementation of immigration policies in France. Furthermore, French and European immigration policymaking is analyzed. Findings – In order to manage structural barriers to their career development, participants navigated within the organizational and national structures using four modes: maintenance, transformation, entrepreneurship, and opt out. Research limitations/implications – There was limited access to the developers of immigration policies. The paper focused on only one ethnic minority group. Practical implications – The management of migrants in France needs to be more supportive of their efforts in using their capital. Originality/value – The paper contributes to the literature on careers of internationally mobile professionals by offering an understanding of the experiences of an under‐researched group of participants, that is to say persons from an ethnic minority who relocated from Lebanon to live and work in France.