Moving from Organizational Employment to Self-employment - Assignment Example

? Moving from Organizational Employment to Self-employment Question Philosophers present two sides of opinion regarding existence, morality and even ethics, and these are subjectivity and objectivity. Objectivity is the reference to judgment that is not influenced by personal feelings, perspectives and emotions, but rather relies on observable phenomena. On the other hand, subjectivity refers to judgment that is influenced by personal perspectives, impressions, feelings and opinions, rather than external factors such as observable phenomena (Nagel, 1961). Therefore, Deborah and Yasmin’s career could be described as internal, that is, subjectively constructed by the individuals themselves. For instance, in the case of Deborah, she envisioned a career that she would be able to attain professional growth and at the same time provide high-quality medical care and personal attention for her patients. However, after the hospitals became more focused on financial gains than on quality service provision for patients she became disheartened. As a result, she decided to start her own nursing home where she could practice what according to her is ‘real nursing’. Hence, her career decision was based on the feelings, opinion and perspective about the value for high-quality healthcare and personal attention for patients as opposed to business-like healthcare. Similarly, Yasmin did not actually plan where she would work or what she would do, but all she envisioned was a continuous career development process that would involve acquiring knowledge, a range of skills and experiences, and the applying these to various employment contexts. This is why she got fed up with her position at the local authority when she realized that there was no room for development and enhancement of her career, for example, she felt marginalized and powerless to make any policy changes. Therefore, her decision to go enroll for Masters course and eventually start her own consultancy firm was all based on her feelings and opinion that as an employee of the local authority she was not gaining any professional growth and career achievements. Moreover, she felt deskilled instead of gaining a range of skills, and the reason according to her perspective was that the local authority was highly politicized. Question 2 Career anchor is an individual’s self concept that consists of his/her basic values, talents and abilities, and perception of needs and motives with regard to their career. Schein identified 8 career anchors, which are security, independence, technical-functional competence, entrepreneurial creativity, service to cause, general managerial competence, pure challenge, and finally, lifestyle (Schein, 1996). It is clear these career anchors to some extent apply to Yasmin and Deborah’s accounts. For example, Deborah’s career is driven by service/dedication to cause. This is because she is determined and believes in provision of quality healthcare service, as well as personal attention of patients. Thus, her career is fulfilled by helping and satisfying the needs of other people. Deborah’s career is also driven by independence/autonomy whereby she would prefer to work under her own steam and rules to attain career achievements. Likewise, Yasmin’s career is also driven by Schein’s career anchors to some extent, for example, she could be described as general managerial competence. This is because she is the kind of person who likes to deal with other people, thrives at responsibility and problem-solving. In addition, she values the concept of home-life balance, as well as personal time, thus, her career is driven by lifestyle career anchor. This can be clearly understood by her statement, “I mean there is work life, and there is the rest of your life, and there are your children” (Gallos, 1989, p.273). Question 3 Gallo’s quote resonates with Yasmin and Deborah’s story because it touches on several aspects that these women encountered during their career life. For example, she says, “Women who leave successful organizational positions and clearly defined career tracks to gain more control over their lives can look foolish and misdirected”. Looking at Yasmin and Deborah’s encounter, they both left successful organizations to pursue career path that would allow them to have more control over their lives, and what they value most. However, on the contrary, these women do not end up foolish as the quote predicts because both of them build a successful self-employed/independent businesses. Moreover, Yasmin failed to have a long term career strategy plan, but still she managed to start and develop a fulfilling and successful career in organization development consultancy. Question 4 Kanter (1989) presents three career forms that can be used to career developments and transitions, and these are bureaucratic, professional and entrepreneurial (Kanter, 1989). With reference to Yasmin and Deborah’s encounter, Kanter’s career forms work because their career decisions and advancements are to some extent driven by these career forms. For example, Yasmin and Deborah’s career transitions are accommodated by the profession and entrepreneurial career forms. For instance, Yasmin has skills and knowledge in managerial development and this creates lack of loyalty to any one organization or employer (Arthur & Rousseau, 2001). The ability to start her own consultancy also shows that she has entrepreneurial characteristics, that is, to create her own ventures and valued outputs. Similarly, Deborah shares the same characteristics of professionally and entrepreneurial driven career advancements and achievements. Another career form that can be added to Kanter’s career forms is financial success, and this is because the current trend in business industry shows that most professionals are driven by monetary gains. People will strive to make decisions that would lead to financial success no matter the consequences of their decisions. Question 5 To a greater extent, Deborah and Yasmin’s careers are affected by societal and industry elements such as social/economic, and organizational factors. For example, Deborah felt dissatisfied with her job because of the social/economic factors, which arose from the changing the focus from quality service to money making venture. Yasmin also was affected by economic/social factors, as well as organization factors, which involved politicizing the local authority, and lack of motivation and challenge created by the organization to enhance professional development. In addition, Yasmin’s career change was influenced by social context due to the lack of enough time for her family, or her daughters. Therefore, she aimed for a career that would give her professional development and achievements, and at the same time, flexible enough to allow her spend enough time with her daughters. Question 6 Looking at Deborah and Yasmin’s story, I would say that this is a change. This is because none of them envisioned working as an independent/self-employed professional. All they were looking for is career fulfillment and professional growth. However, they failed to attain this in their former organizations, and thus, the decision to change their nature of employment. Moreover, Yasmin admits that she would probably change to another profession in future, that she will not do organization development consultancy forever. References Arthur, M. M., & Rousseau, D. M. ( 2001). The boundaryless career: a new employment principle for a new organizational era. Oxford University Press. Gallos, J. (1989). Exploring Women's Development: Implications for Career Theory, Practice and Research. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Kanter, R. M. (1989). Careers and the Wealth of Nations: A Macroperspective on the Structure and Implications of Career Forms. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Nagel, E. (1961). The Structure of Science. New York: Brace and World. Schein, E. H. (1996). 1. Career anchors revisited: Implications for career development in the 21st century. The Academy of Management Executive. Read More