Doing meta-work to navigate conventionally masculinist careers and work norms in professional workplaces

Research has shown that while conventionally masculinist career models no longer necessarily correspond to how individuals live their lives, they continue to be prevalent and idealized in most corporate, professional workplaces. These models leave few alternatives for men, as well as women who want or need to organize their work differently. This chapter explores male privilege in entering and unfolding careers from the perspective of meta-work - hidden, invisible and laborious work - performed by professionals as they seek to live up to the traditional and normative ideals surrounding socially prestigious careers and identities. Meta-work is also an important coping mechanism through which professionals deal with feelings of inadequacy, dilemmas and disappointments surrounding their conventionally masculinist careers. Two empirical case studies provide insights into the workings of meta-work from the perspective of white, professional men in various national contexts: lawyers in Finland and Canada who pursue careers in competitive corporate environments, and Finnish and US professionals who have opted out of high-powered careers to live and work on their own terms. The chapter shows that living up to masculinist careers and work norms requires continuous meta-work to advance one's own position within the internal hierarchical ladder of professional workplaces.