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Snakes and ladders: stressing the role of meta-competencies for post-modern careers

  • Alessandro Lo Presti
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Abstract

Major global changes during the last decades have influenced the individual’s work-life and career. As a result of globalisation, increasing societal complexity and flexibility, careers have lost their linearity and predictability. Traditional models of career development no longer provide a comprehensive explanation for an adequate career development. New theoretical concepts such as protean and boundaryless career attitudes are presented as options to cope with the new situation. In addition, the development of career meta-competencies and skills are introduced as an approach to foster career self-management.

Keywords

Career Flexibility Adaptability 

Résumé.

Serpents et échelles: souligner le rôle des méta-compétences pour les carrières post-modernes. Les changements globaux importants des dernières décennies ont influencé la vie de travail et la carrière de l’individu. En raison de la mondialisation, de la complexité et de la flexibilité sociales croissantes, les carrières ont perdu leur linéarité et leur prévisibilité. Les modèles traditionnels du développement de la vie professionnelle ne fournissent plus une explication complète pour le développement d’une vie professionnelle harmonieuse. Nous présentons de nouveaux concepts théoriques tels que des attitudes de carrière protéiformes et dégagées de toute limitation comme des possibilités de faire face à la nouvelle situation. En outre, on présente le développement de méta-compétences et de qualifications de carrière comme une approche susceptible de stimuler l’autogestion de la carrière.

Zusammenfassung.

Schlangen und Leitern: Betonung der Bedeutung von Meta-Kompetenzen für postmoderne Berufsverläufe. Größere globale Veränderungen während der letzten Jahrzehnte haben das Arbeitsleben und die Berufsverläufe der Menschen beeinflusst. Als Ergebnis der Globalisierung, die die gesellschaftliche Komplexität und Flexibilität gesteigert hat, haben Berufsverläufe ihre Linearität und Vorhersagbarkeit verloren. Traditionelle Modelle der Beruflichen Beratung stellen nicht mehr länger eine umfassende Erklärung für die angemessene Entwicklung von Berufsverläufen bereit. Neue theoretische Konzepte, wie etwa wandelbare und grenzenlose Karriere-Konzepte, erden als Optionen vorgestellt, um mit den neuen Verhältnissen umzugehen. Darüber hinaus wird die Entwicklung von Meta-Kompetenzen und –Fähigkeiten als ein Ansatz vorgestellt, die Selbststeuerung der beruflichen Karriere zu fördern.

Resumen.

El juego de las escaleras y culebras: Acentuando el rol de las meta-competencias para las carreras post-modernas. Los cambios globales ocurridos durante las últimas décadas están influyendo la vida laboral del individuo y su carrera profesional. Como resultado de la globalización, y de una mayor complejidad y flexibilidad de la sociedad, las carreras han perdido su linealidad y predictibilidad. Los modelos tradicionales del desarrollo de la carrera ya no proporcionan una explicación comprensiva para el adecuado desarrollo de la carrera. Surgen otras opciones para manejar esta situación, como puede ser el adoptar actitudes flexibles, sin límites, teniendo una mente abierta para aceptar los cambios y adaptarse a nuevas situaciones. Además, se introduce el desarrollo de las meta-competencias y habilidades para la carrera como una estrategia para fomentar la auto-gestión.

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2009

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Dipartimento di PsicologiaSeconda Università degli studi di NapoliCasertaItaly

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