Then and NowThen and Now
Past: One career, many jobsPresent: Seven to eight
careers
Past: One career, many jobsPresent: Seven to eight
careers
Experts’ PerspectiveExperts’ Perspective
“We know relatively little about how children learn about and prepare for work. …it is imperative to gain a better understanding of the childhood career development process to better prepare children for their future.”(Schultheiss & Stead, 2004)
“We know relatively little about how children learn about and prepare for work. …it is imperative to gain a better understanding of the childhood career development process to better prepare children for their future.”(Schultheiss & Stead, 2004)
What I Wanted to KnowWhat I Wanted to Know
Is there a relationship between childhood influences and business communicators’
career choice?
Is there a relationship between childhood influences and business communicators’
career choice?
Approach I UsedApproach I Used
Prepared paper-based survey; 22 questions Mailed survey, cover letter; offered incentive Administered via U.S. mail to:
- 425 International Association of Business Communicators, MN Chapter,
members- 225 Minnesota Health Strategy and
Communication Network members
Prepared paper-based survey; 22 questions Mailed survey, cover letter; offered incentive Administered via U.S. mail to:
- 425 International Association of Business Communicators, MN Chapter,
members- 225 Minnesota Health Strategy and
Communication Network members
ResultsResults
Received high response: 417 (64%)
More than 97% currently work in business communications
78% female, 22% male
Received high response: 417 (64%)
More than 97% currently work in business communications
78% female, 22% male
LeadershipLeadership
Now: Prepared for leadership roles in work assignments?
Childhood: Which activities helped develop leadership skills?
More than 68% of those prepared for leadership roles now indicate childhood volunteer activities helped develop their leadership skills.
Now: Prepared for leadership roles in work assignments?
Childhood: Which activities helped develop leadership skills?
More than 68% of those prepared for leadership roles now indicate childhood volunteer activities helped develop their leadership skills.
TeamworkTeamwork
Now: Teamwork is critical for success?
Childhood: Which activities helped develop teamwork skills?
More than 93% of those who believe teamwork is critical indicate childhood team sports helped develop their teamwork skills.
Now: Teamwork is critical for success?
Childhood: Which activities helped develop teamwork skills?
More than 93% of those who believe teamwork is critical indicate childhood team sports helped develop their teamwork skills.
Communication SkillsCommunication Skills
Now: Communication skills are essential?
Childhood: Which activities helped develop communication skills?
More than 81% of those who believe communication skills are essential now indicate childhood volunteer activities helped develop their communication skills.
Now: Communication skills are essential?
Childhood: Which activities helped develop communication skills?
More than 81% of those who believe communication skills are essential now indicate childhood volunteer activities helped develop their communication skills.
ConfidenceConfidence
Now: Confident in ability to perform tasks?
Childhood: Which activities helped develop confidence?
More than 87% of those who are confident now indicate childhood individual sports helped develop their confidence.
Now: Confident in ability to perform tasks?
Childhood: Which activities helped develop confidence?
More than 87% of those who are confident now indicate childhood individual sports helped develop their confidence.
Self-EsteemSelf-Esteem
Now: Have high self-esteem contributing to quality work?
Childhood: Which activities helped develop self-esteem?
More than 80% of those who now have high self-esteem indicate childhood individual sports helped develop their self-esteem.
Now: Have high self-esteem contributing to quality work?
Childhood: Which activities helped develop self-esteem?
More than 80% of those who now have high self-esteem indicate childhood individual sports helped develop their self-esteem.
Other ResultsOther Results
Parents’ career choice has little impactimpact
- 78% didn’t consider entering parents’ - 78% didn’t consider entering parents’
career as a childcareer as a child
- Of those that did consider, just 4%- Of those that did consider, just 4%
actually did so as an adultactually did so as an adultTeachers have the most influence
during childhood regarding career decisions.
Parents’ career choice has little impactimpact
- 78% didn’t consider entering parents’ - 78% didn’t consider entering parents’
career as a childcareer as a child
- Of those that did consider, just 4%- Of those that did consider, just 4%
actually did so as an adultactually did so as an adultTeachers have the most influence
during childhood regarding career decisions.
Other ResultsOther Results
The school subject, English, is The school subject, English, is important - 40% indicate English was favorite
elementary school subject- 80% indicate English is most closely
related to their current career- 41% indicated both of the above
The school subject, English, is The school subject, English, is important - 40% indicate English was favorite
elementary school subject- 80% indicate English is most closely
related to their current career- 41% indicated both of the above
What Does It Mean?What Does It Mean?
Is there a relationship between childhood influences and business communicators’
career choice?
YES!YES!
Is there a relationship between childhood influences and business communicators’
career choice?
YES!YES!
RecommendationsRecommendations
UniversitiesProfessional Membership
OrganizationsElementary School Teachers Individuals
UniversitiesProfessional Membership
OrganizationsElementary School Teachers Individuals