All entries for Friday 12 June 2009

Career adaptability

One of areas of careers that we are currently researching is ‘career adaptability’. Helping people to become more career adaptable could be crucially important for people finding their way through a volatile labour market. Although there is not yet final agreement on the definition of career adaptability, many interested in studying the concept agree that it refers to: … the readiness to cope with the predictable tasks of preparing for and participating in the work role and with the unpredictable adjustments prompted by changes in work and working conditions. (Savickas, 1997, p.254).

To become career adaptable, you would need to ‘look ahead and look around’ (Savickas, 1997, p257). You would also need to engage, proactively, in a process of self-development so that in time, you are able to choose suitable and viable opportunities to become the person you want to be. In summary, to become career adaptable, you would need to: think routinely about your future; be prepared to engage in an ongoing process of self-reflection; develop the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to cope with change; and it will require you to be open-minded about opportunities that come along.

How do you regard ‘career adaptability’? Would you want to change this description of what it means (and how)? Do you see this concept as relevant to your own situation?

Reference: Savickas, M. L. (1997). Career adaptability: An integrative construct for life-span, life-space theory. Career Development Quarterly, 45(3), 247-259.

Jenny Bimrose : 12 Jun 2009 17:56 |  Tags: Adaptability Careers Practice Research |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem