CHAPTER 1

DEFINITIONS

CAREER
A career is the journey of a person through their work life. It includes all the jobs they do, the
experiences they gain, and the progress they make in their chosen field over time. A career is
not just about having a job; it's about the various roles and achievements that build up
throughout a person's working life.
A career is like a road trip through your work life. It's the journey you take, where you learn,
grow, and work in different jobs or fields over time to build your skills and reach your
professional goals. Just like a road trip has different stops and adventures, a career is made up
of various jobs and experiences that shape your work life.

CAREER MANAGEMENT
Career management is like taking care of your work path. It involves planning, making
decisions, and taking steps to guide your career in a direction that matches your goals.
It's about being proactive and making choices that help you grow, learn, and succeed in
your professional life.
Career management is like being the captain of your work journey. It's about planning and
steering your career path, making choices that help you reach your goals. Just like a captain
navigates a ship, career management involves setting goals, learning new skills, and making
decisions to shape your professional life in a way that's fulfilling and successful for you.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Career development is like building a toolkit for your work life. It involves learning new
skills, gaining experience, and growing professionally to reach your career goals. Just as
you gather tools for different tasks, career development helps you acquire the skills and
experiences you need to succeed and progress in your chosen field or job.

Career development is like growing a tree from a small seed. It's about nurturing your
skills, learning new things, and gaining experiences to become better at your job or to
explore new opportunities. Just like a tree grows with care and time, career development
involves learning and evolving to reach your full potential in your work life.
Q1- THE NEED TO UNDERSTAND CAREER MANAGEMENT FROM
INDIVIDUAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

Individual Perspective:
1. High Expectations:

People today have higher expectations from their careers. They seek fulfillment,
growth, and purpose beyond just a paycheck. Understanding career management
from an individual standpoint involves meeting these expectations, ensuring their
work aligns with personal goals and aspirations.

2. Autonomy:

Individuals value the freedom to make choices about their careers. They want to
have a say in their path, from the kind of work they do to the opportunities they
pursue. Career management from an individual perspective involves empowering
individuals to make these decisions.

3. Weakening of Sex Role Boundaries:

Traditional gender roles in careers are changing. Understanding career

management from an individual standpoint means recognizing and
accommodating this shift, ensuring equal opportunities and support for everyone
regardless of gender.

4. Concern for Total Lifestyle:

Careers are no longer just about the job; they're part of a larger lifestyle.
Individuals seek work-life balance, flexibility, and integration of their personal and
professional lives. Career management involves considering this holistic approach
to well-being.

5. Diversity of Career Orientations:

People have diverse career goals and paths. Some may seek stability, while others
crave variety or entrepreneurship. Understanding career management from an
individual perspective means acknowledging these diverse orientations and
tailoring support accordingly.
Organizational Perspective:

1. Selection of Human Resources:

Organizations need to choose the right people for the right roles. Understanding
career management from an organizational standpoint involves aligning
individual skills, goals, and values with the needs of the organization.

2. Development and Utilization of Human Resources:

Once hired, it's crucial to develop and effectively use employees' skills and
talents. Career management at an organizational level involves providing
opportunities for growth, training, and leveraging employee potential effectively.

3. Management of the Career Plateau:

Sometimes, employees reach a point where they feel stagnant in their careers.
Organizations need strategies to manage this phase, providing avenues for
continued growth or lateral moves to keep employees engaged.

4. Management of Cultural Diversity:

Modern workplaces are diverse. Career management from an organizational

perspective involves creating an inclusive environment that respects and
leverages this diversity to foster innovation and productivity.

5. Work-Life Responsiveness:

Organizations need to be responsive to employees' needs for work-life balance.

This means offering flexible work arrangements, supportive policies, and a culture
that values well-being.

In essence, understanding career management from both individual and organizational

perspectives is about aligning the aspirations, needs, and capabilities of individuals with
the goals, culture, and requirements of the organization for mutual success and
fulfillment.