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Picking up the pieces: themes in Macedonian midcareer transitions

  • Paul Sudnik
Article
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Abstract

Addressing midcareer transition in post-socialist Macedonia, this work sought to provide practical help to participants through a range of techniques. Four themes are identified as important options for transitioners. Enthusiasm for “entrepreneurship” is tempered by a lack of funds and “portfolio careers” are also viewed with caution. “Employment in a small firm” provides participants with cause for optimism, although the link between lifelong learning and “employability” is not clear to them. Career support for Macedonians experiencing midcareer transition is valued.

Keywords

Macedonia Post-socialist Midcareer Transition 

Résumé

Recoller les morceaux: les thèmes abordés pendant les transitions de carrière en milieu de vie en Macédoine. S’adressant à une transition de carrière en milieu de vie dans la Macédoine post-socialiste, ce travail cherche à fournir une aide pratique aux participants à travers un choix de techniques. Quatre thèmes sont identifiés comme des options importantes pour ceux qui passent par une transition. L’enthousiasme pour « l’entrepreneuriat » est tempéré par un manque de ressources financières alors qu’un « portefolio professionnel » est également considérée avec prudence. « L’emploi dans une petite entreprise » permet aux participants d’être optimistes, bien que le lien entre l’apprentissage continu et « l’employabilité » n’est pas claire pour eux. Un soutien envers les Macédonien pour une transition de carrière en milieu de vie est valorisé.

Zusammenfassung

Rückkehr zur Normalität: Themen in mazedonischen beruflichen Übergängen in der Laufbahnmitte. In Bezug auf berufliche Übergänge in der Laufbahnmitte im post-sozialistischen Mazedonien, versucht diese Arbeit praktische Hilfestellung für die Teilnehmer in Form einer Reihe von Techniken zu bieten. Vier Themen werden als wichtige Optionen für Personen in Übergängen identifiziert. Die Begeisterung für “Unternehmertum” wird durch einen Mangel an finanziellen Mitteln eingeschränkt, während eine “Portfolio Karriere” auch mit Vorsicht betrachtet wird. “Beschäftigung in einer kleinen Firma” bietet den Teilnehmern Anlass zu Optimismus, obwohl die Verbindung zwischen lebenslangem Lernen und “Arbeitsmarktfähigkeit” für sie nicht klar ist. Laufbahn-Unterstützung für Mazedonier in beruflichen Übergängen in der Laufbahnmitte wird bewertet.

Resumen

Recogiendo los pedazos: Temas sobre las transiciones de mitad de carrera en Macedonia. Considerando las transiciones en mitad de carrera en la Macedonia post-socialista, este trabajo busca proveer una ayuda practica a los participantes a través de una variedad de técnicas. Cuatro temas importantes son identificados para las personas que pasan por una transición: Entusiasmo para “el espirito emprendedor” es moderado por una falta de recursos financieros mientras que “el portafolio de carrera” es igualmente considerado con prudencia. “El empleado en una pequeña compañía” permite a los participantes de ser optimistas aunque el vinculo con el aprendizaje continuo y “La posibilidad del empleo” no es claro para ellos. El apoyo profesional para Los Macedonios que experimentan transiciones en mitad de carrera es valorizado.

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© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Hochschule MünchenMünchenGermany

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