Support Service Conference26 June 2007
Investigating careers at the University
Kate Tapper & Career Framework Team
Support Services Conference 2007
Whose life is it anyway?An exploration of Careers at the UniversitySupport staff conference - 26 June 2007
Clare Brophy, Staff Career Coach
The individual has sole responsibility for their career
• Definition of ‘career’• Contemporary perspective – careers today• Why it is your responsibility
Definition of career
• To run away in an uncontrolled direction!
• What you do for a living – your work
• Choice -employability -resilience
• Control• Continuous development• Contemporary
Thought
“Effective career planning is about finding a job that works for you, matching who you are to the life you are going to lead.”
John Lees
Baby bird
• Vulnerable• Needy/demanding• Expecting all to be
provided for you• Weak• Floundering• Falling out of nest
Manager’s view!
Big bird
• Highly visible• Inquisitive• Learning• Developing others• Enthusiastic• Energetic• Still going strong!
Try not to be as irritating
‘Career’ - a complex idea for individuals
sequence of work experiences
projects
outside as well as inside the organisation
not just upwards
employability
life-work
come from and going to others around us
direction & progressionour own story making a difference
feelingsgrowing the future
learning using our skills
Only you have the knowledge to manage your career!
FACULTY OF ARTS
Paula Coonerty
Arts Faculty Manager
Managers should take responsibility
for the careers of staff
What is a career?
What is career development?
Why not individuals?
Why not organisations?
Managers are the key!
Why are managers sometimes not
comfortable supporting
career development?
Why should career
development of their staff matter to
managers?
What can the manager do?
Tim Phillips
Are careers an organisational responsibility?Support Services Conference June 2007
What is a career?
• “the sequence of employment-related positions, roles, activities and experiences encountered by a person”
John Arnold, Managing Careers into the 21st Century
• “progress or advancement in one’s profession”• Planning• Development
Why should the organisation manage careers?
• People are our most valuable resource• The organisation has a responsibility to
develop people• Career development attracts and motivates
good quality employees• To improve employee motivation• To improve employee retention• Good for our reputation
Why should the organisation manage careers?
To fulfil organisational potential…
• “Careers are how skills and knowledge are acquired and spread, as employees move from one job to another”
• “Career movement is how organisational culture and values are transmitted. Corporate culture and networks are often key to rapid and effective action”
Hirsh & Jackson, Managing careers in large organisations
Career development is of direct benefit to organisations
An Example: IT Strategy
Education Learning Teaching
Research & Enterprise
The Business
Information resources
Access: anywhere, anytime
Communication & Collaboration
Environment
GovernanceService
People
OrganisationalLeadership
ManagementespeciallyChange
OrganisationalCulture &
Professionalism
IndividualDevelopment
Who has the greatest responsibility for career progression?
• green = yes
• red = no
• only vote ‘yes’ once!
I can see long-term career opportunities at the University...• manual?
• technical?
• craft?
• senior domestic?
• secretarial?
• admin?
I can see long-term career opportunities at the University...
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I can see long-term career opportunities at the University...• research staff?
• lecturers?
• senior lecturers?
• professors?
I can see long-term career opportunities at the University?
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My line manager shows an interest in my long-term career development...
• manual?
• technical?
• craft?
• senior domestic?
• secretarial?
• admin?
My line manager takes an interest in my long-term career development...
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Do managers influence whether we see career opportunities?
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I have access to training & development relevant to my job...• manual?
• technical?
• craft?
• senior domestic?
• secretarial?
• admin?
I have access to training & development relevant to my job...
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Implications for career framework
• line managers role (training from ’08)
• who is responsible for development opportunities?
• information about potential career choices
• ways of recognising positive performance
Opportunities arising from Reward• single pay structure breaks down barriers
• information about all jobs in the organisation
• recognition of importance of progression opportunities
What is the Career Framework Team doing now?• consultation & communication
• website live 26 September
• research
• planning
Who are the Career Framework Team?• Derek Telling – Project Director
• Alison Bilgin – Project Manager
• Kate Tapper – Staff Development Manager
• Jenny Parkin – Career Framework Adviser
• Alison Smith – Project Support
Support Service Conference26 June 2007
Investigating careers at the University
Kate Tapper & Career Framework Team
Support Services Conference 2007