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In making career decisions it is important for individuals to know what's going on in the current world of work and understand what this means for their career development. The term career incorporates all facets of an individual's life and includes participation in both paid and unpaid employment. The information presented below indicates how participation in the work environment has changed and how the changes affect career development.
The past
A typical career path in the past involved obtaining a job for life. Career development was an organisational responsibility and generally meant upwards promotion within the organisation until retirement. Employees were loyal to their employer and in return employers provided job security and stability.
The present
Recently, factors such as technological growth and consumer demand have changed the world of work resulting in a shift away from a job for life. Career development has now become a lifelong process, rather than a lifelong job. It is a combination of life experience, learning, and work experience (paid & unpaid) throughout your life cycle. Career development involves moving sideways or upwards within an organisation or between organisations, and it is more of a self-driven process.
This is a time for rapid adjustment which involves having a clear understanding of the impact of organisational changes on career development and planning in order to be able participate in the world of work successfully.
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