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Past adolescence, into and across adulthood: career crises and major decisions

  • Anuradha J. Bakshi
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Abstract

Career-related crises and major decisions, support for these, and job satisfaction were surveyed in 124 varied individuals from Mumbai, India. All participants were in the post-career-entry stage and engaged in paid work; they differed with regard to age (range 18–75 years), sex, marital status, religion, education, occupation, income, and privilege. Most had experienced career-related crises and major decisions post-career-entry and had relied mainly on self, friends and spouse. Satisfaction with support was high; job satisfaction was moderately high. Important differences across privilege level and gender were obtained.

Keywords

Life span Career crises Career decisions 

Résumé

Sortir de l’adolescence, entrer dans l’âge adulte le traverser: les crises en lien avec la carrière et les grandes décisions. Les crises en relation avec la carrière et les grandes décisions, le soutien à celles-ci, et la satisfaction au travail ont été étudiés chez 124 individus variés de Mumbai, en Inde. Tous les participants étaient engagés dans un travail rémunéré depuis peu; ils diffèrent au niveau de l’âge (de 18 à 75 ans), du sexe, de l’état civil, de la religion, de l’éducation, de la profession, et du revenu. La plupart ont connu des crises associées à la vie professionnelle ainsi que d’importantes décisions liées au passage à l’étape post-carrière et se sont essentiellement appuyés sur eux-mêmes, des amis et leur(e) conjoint(e). La satisfaction en lien avec le soutien est élevée; la satisfaction au travail est modérément élevée. Des différences importantes entre le niveau de privilège et le sexe ont été obtenues.

Zusammenfassung

Nach der Adoleszenz, in und während dem Erwachsenalter: Laufbahnkrisen und wichtige Entscheidungen. Laufbahnkrisen und wichtigen Entscheidungen, die Unterstützung für diese und die Zufriedenheit am Arbeitsplatz wurden von 124 unterschiedlichen Individuen von Mumbai, Indien befragt. Alle Teilnehmer waren in der Phase nach dem Berufseintritt und in bezahlter Arbeit tätig. Sie unterschieden sich hinsichtlich Alter (Bereich: 18 bis 75 Jahre), Geschlecht, Familienstand, Religion, Bildung, Beruf, Einkommen und Privilegien. Die meisten hatten Laufbahnkrisen und wichtige Entscheidungen nach dem Berufseintritt erfahren und hatten sich vor allem auf sich selbst, Freunde und Ehepartner verlassen. Zufriedenheit mit der Unterstützung war hoch, die Arbeitszufriedenheit war mäßig hoch. Wichtige Unterschiede zwischen dem Niveau der Privilegien und den Geschlechtern wurden festgestellt.

Resumen

Pasada la adolescencia, hacia y durante la adultez: Crisis de la Carrera y Decisiones Importantes. Se realizó una encuesta a 124 sujetos de Bombay, India, sobre crisis relacionadas con la carrera y decisiones importantes, apoyos recibidos para estas y satisfacción en el trabajo. Todos los participantes estaban trabajando en un empleo remunerado (etapa posterior al acceso a la carrera profesional - post-career entry stage); diferían en la edad (de 18 a 75 años), sexo, estado civil, religión, educación, ocupación, ingreso y privilegios. La mayoría había experimentado crisis y tuvieron que tomar decisiones importantes después de iniciada su carrera, por su cuenta y con el apoyo de amistades y de la pareja. La satisfacción con el apoyo recibido fue alta; la satisfacción con el trabajo era moderamente alta. Se obtuvieron diferencias significativas respecto al nivel de privilegios y de género.

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Notes

Acknowledgment

This research was supported in part by a scholarship from the Promise Foundation, Bangalore.

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Nirmala Niketan College of Home ScienceUniversity of MumbaiMumbaiIndia

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