Definition and Meaning of Career Development
Career Development can be defined as the interaction of psychological,sociological,economic,physical and chance factors that shape the sequence of jobs,occupations/professions or career that a person may engage in throughout a lifetime. It is a major aspect of human development.
According to Pietrofesa and Splete___”Career development is an on-going process that occurs over the life span; include home,school, and community experience”.
According to Gysbers and Moore___”It is self-development over the life span through the integration of the roles,settings, and events of a person’s life”.
According to Reardon___”It is total constellation of economic,sociological,psychological,educational,physical and change factors that combine to shape one’s career”.
Features of Career Development
- It is an on-going process.
- It can develop and share transferability of skills and competencies.
- Employees can develop skills and competencies required to fulfill present and future leadership roles within an organization.
- It strengthens professional work culture in the organizations.
Objectives of Career Development
- To devise intervention strategies for developing, rewarding and retaining talented personnel.
- To be able to discuss and apply models for career counselling that is appropriate for use in an organizational set-up.
- To understand how to use technology in Working area in organization.
- To plan, design and implement life-long career development programmes.
- To development and create a pool of talent employee to successfully execute the business strategies of the organization.
- To evaluate the career enhance programme and use the results to effect organizational and employee improvements.
Importance of Career Development
1. Ensures Needed Talent: It is a natural fall-out of human resource planning. Human resource planning must identify short and long term manpower requirements. The requirements of the organization must meet expectations of the employees. This ensures their continuation in the organization.
2. Retention of Talent: Talented employees are scarce. They are on the move as there is competition to recruit them. Talent individuals normally prefer employers who have good career development plans for employees. Organizations that offer career advice,often find that their employees are more loyal and committed. Such plans facilitate retention of talent.
3. Work life Balance:It is a reflection of the concern employees have for the quality of work life and balance with personal life. The trend of people seeking jobs that offer challenge is on the rise. People are willing to take on more responsibility provided there are opportunities for advancement on the job. For this good career planning is essential.
4. Meet External Requirements: Legislation and affirmative action programmes require that minority groups get opportunities for growth and development. Equal employment opportunity is an issue of importance to organizations. Career development programmes prepare minority groups for greater responsibility within the organization.
5. Improves Competitiveness of Organization: Highly educated professionals often prefer organizations that have a good track record of career development. During employee shortages, a recognized programme of career development can be the deciding factor for professionals selecting a position.