Career Development in New Zealand
In my thesis research I will be seeking an answer to the question �Do New Zealand employees manage their own careers?� This means, do they access development opportunities that are available and do they look for their own means of developing their career. The answer to this question would provide an insight into the level of which New Zealanders have taken on the ideals of the protean career, as introduced by Hall (1996). I am also interested to learn about the degree of help employees feel their employer provides towards reaching this goal of self-managed careers.
The meaning of career has changed. People now need to be continuing to learn and remain flexible to stay competitive in the job market where a job for life is no longer a reality. The importance of thus taking control of your own career is great indeed.
My research is important because the reality is that we are all now competing in the global economy. If New Zealand employees are not giving themselves every opportunity to compete, by remaining up-to-date and taking control of their own development, they may find their jobs being taken more and more by international populations who have accepted the challenge.
Identifying if there is a problem is the first step in the design of some kind of project aimed at increasing the New Zealand workforce�s knowledge of this important career ideal � the protean career. This research could also lead to further and more in depth research into employers and the role they play in providing leadership to the �career conscious� individual.
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