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[Print-friendly version] If you have not done so already, then complete the world of work quiz before reading this section. The aim of the quiz is to raise your awareness that the job market may be different that you perceive. The key word in the current workforce is change. Indications from overseas (Primarily the US and the UK) are that we will all have more than one career within our lives. Unlike many of our parents who found a job and remained in it until they retired we will have multiple careers. You may already have changed careers and possibly your time here at University as a postgraduate might well be part of that change. With the knowledge that we can expect change (voluntarily or unvoluntarily) our best strategy to this is to plan and prepare as much as we can. We must understand our coping mechanisms such that when change does occur we know what strategies we have to deal with it. It is important that we recognise and develop our skills that are transportable (transferable skills) to enable us to move around. We must be able to utilise all of our skills (interpersonal as well as research and technical skills) to enable us to move into new areas. We also have to recognise that we may not secure the full time permanent position we desire. We may have to take on shorter contracts and potentially even part time positions to get to where we want to. Industries outside of the academic arena are slowly becoming aware of the value of postgraduate qualifications. It is happening slowly, however, thankfully it is happening. It is wise to look beyond (as said previously) just your specialist research skill set and be marketing your broader skill set that having completed (or completing) a higher degree gives you. If you cannot recognise the transportability of your skill set then how can you expect an employer to. The Language of Change The Language has also changed between the old paradigm of work and the new. The following table demonstrates the changes: Old Paradigm New paradigm – Job – Work – Paternalism – Independence – Permanent structure – Fluid structure – Manager/employee – Customer/contractor – Salary/benefits – Fees – Security – Personal control – Employment – Employability – Job descriptions – Skill sets, capabilities – Career ladders – Career lattice – One career – Portfolio career In an environment where discontinuous change is the norm, individuals must rely on themselves for stability and direction. Individuals will need to become more independent and responsible for their own career development. To do this, they will refer to their own base knowledge, capabilities, values, beliefs and preferences (everything that we look at in the self assessment section). To be successful in the new world of work, you must be able to constantly assess yourself and your environment. Career planning, therefore, clearly rests with the individual and we hope that career development support / management rests with the employer. As an employee you will have ultimate control over critical variables eg leave, achievements, etc. Your employer can provide training and information services that bear on your personal career decisions and you can also source this outside of your current workplace. To be proactive in your career development in this new paradigm there are some key questions that you can ask yourself: What do I really want to do? What do I know how to do? What career opportunities can I expect to be available? Where do I want to go? What do I need to get there? How marketable will my current skills be in the future? What opportunities are there to develop my skill set? Who is available to help? Is this career lead leading to success? What are my first steps? And always remember, It’s your life – what do YOU want to do with it! Where do Postgraduates end up? Sector 2004 Masters Research/PhD     Education 52.7% Government 17.8% Private 15.6% Health 10.5% Other 3.2%     Source: 2004 Graduate Destination Survey, GCA-2005 Figures are for 89.0% of HDR Graduates who were available for full time work and were in full time employment. As the above information shows, that while the majority of PhD students stay in academia (or educational institutes) there is a large proportion find work elsewhere.