Career Management in the 21st Century

The Necessity for Career Management in the 21st Century.

Many people determine "what they want to be when they grow up" just as soon as they are able to talk, but the truth is, by the time they graduate high school, they change your mind at least five times. When a person first enter high school, their teachers and guidance counselors should explain what classes need to be taken in order to enter college. By the time one reaches their senior year, their career path(s) and a career outline that supports the path should be determined. In addition, a realistic set of goals should be created. An individual should research the best school that meets their career choices, know what college classes must be taken, and lastly they should began researching jobs for the chosen career(s) choice. However, even with all this planning, a career path is still not really defined until an individuals sophomore year in college. According to the article, "Career Entrenchment...", the authors stated that "many people choose their career at the age of eighteen or nineteen, before they know all about the available choices" (Carson & Carson, 1996). Career management is a necessity because an individual can plan their career early so that they won’t be forced into a job that they are really unsatisfied with. The authors also stated that "Individuals too often select careers based on their perceived ability, experience, or skill" not by their interests (Carson & Carson, 1996). That’s why career management is a really important aspect for a persons future plans. Individuals should always choose a career that interests them not one that’s based on salary or perceived success. That way, changes can be made if they occur and a person will know how to balance their personal life and their career. Career Management for the 21st Century is a necessity because there must be a developed method of job search strategies and a developed back-up plan in case of career change.

Job search should be initiated as early as possible. Sometimes it takes a while to find a job that suits a persons physical and mental needs. There are three important methods of job search strategy that is necessary for finding ones career choice: networking through people and agencies, developing an outstanding resume’, and landing the interview. The key to success is through networking. It is important t...

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... person have decided on a career, job search strategies must be initiated immediately. First determine what you want, what type of career(s) interests you. Then ask yourself what are my features that best fits me for this job? Is it my skills, my knowledge, my abilities, or my interests? Once you have asked yourself these five questions, then you are ready. If this job proves to be unworthy or unsatisfying then start the job search strategy over and find a new career. Career Management for the twenty-first century is a necessity because people have to know what direction they are going in and the steps they need to take in case the path changes.

REFERENCES:

Carson, D. Kerry & Paula Phillips Carson (1997). Career entrenchment: A quiet march toward occupational death? Academy of Management Executive, 11(1), 62-75.

Gradview & Hobsons (1996). Your Career and Why You’ll Change. Available:

http://www.gradview.com/careers/index.html

Hall, T. Douglas (1996). Protean careers of the 21st century. Academy of Management Executive, 10(4), 8-15.

Career Management-Overview (No date). Microsoft Money. Available:

http://www.msmoney.com/mm/career/careermgmt_index.html