IOP3703
Assessment 01 for Semester 02
Year 2022
Question 1
Based on your understanding, provide an overview of career adaptability highlighting the
four domains (career concern, career control, career confidence and career curiosity). In
your answer, describe your personal level of career adaptability. Also describe which
domains of career adaptability you think you need to further explore. (15)
“Career adaptability is determined by a holistic view of how individuals are perceived in
adaptive interactions with their surroundings or environment, such as the changing
employment context.” (Savickas et al in Coetzee & Schreuder 2021:72). Career adaptability
can be referred to as the individual’s readiness to use tools in order to cope with work
demands, challenges and changes. It is about one’s ability to make choices about one’s career,
having the skills and abilities needed to shape and adjust to the ever-changing career
environment successfully; so that one can have the career and future one loves and enjoys
(caba.org.uk). Career adaptability is linked to more career satisfaction, lower job-related
stress, increased person-environment fit and overall career enjoyment.
Individual career adaptability grows in four domains namely:
1. Career concern (Do I have a future?)
This domain entails one’s concern about their future. This leads one to plan their future and
to be engaged and be aware of how the future may be shaped. An interest in the future helps
one to be better prepared for eventualities that may come in their career. For a person with
concern for their future, qualities of being planful and forward-thinking are evident.
(McMahon, Watson & Bimrose, 2012 in Coetzee & Schreuder 2021:72). They would have
hope and are prepared for the future and there is constant effort to connect the present to
the future.
2. Career control (Who owns my future?)
This is when an individual has a ‘my future is in my hands’ mantra. When one exhibits control
over their own future by making decisions and showing determination. Key qualities in this
domain are being independent, accountable for one’s decisions, patience and being
principled (Coetzee & Schreuder). Individuals are usually trustworthy and persistent. Placing
your self in charge of your career helps in taking responsibility for one’s career development
and it enables one to influence and shape their career.
3. Career curiosity (What do I want to do with my future?)
, This domain entails being curious about one’s future and adapting to the changing
circumstances in one’s career. This involves gathering information and self-knowledge in an
attempt to fit into the world of work (Coetzee & Schreuder, 2021). Taking risks and willingness
to explore and experiment in one’s career. Not shying away from trying new ventures and
tasks. One has to be future-oriented and observant (McMahon et al, 2012 in Coetzee &
Schreuder, 2021).
4. Career confidence (Can I do it?)
In this domain, the individual becomes confident in their ability to overcome problems in their
career. People who operate in this domain are usually very competent and productive. They
exhibit self-confidence (McMahon et al, 2012 in Coetzee & Schreuder, 2021). Career
confidence can be evident in the way people deal with work-related stresses.
Personal level of career adaptability
Change is inevitable and if one is not willing to adapt to it, one may find themselves unable to
transition with their career. I think that my level of career adaptability is not too bad. I am a
primary school teacher, and when I started teaching in the late 90s, we used mostly chalk and
chalkboards as teaching tools. Then came the technological era in 2000, where we started
using laptops, iPads, apple TVs, projectors and interactive whiteboards. It was challenging but
the inevitable change was embraced and enjoyed. I also realized that the necessary new
demands of my career made my job easier to do. The skills I learnt in order to adapt gave me
satisfaction and pride. These ITC skills came in handy when Covid19 pandemic hit. We had to
rely mainly on the use of technology to teach online using PowerPoints, videos and live Zoom
meetings and Google classroom. The ability to adapt gave me relevance in my career, I had
something to offer and was confident in my capabilities.
Throughout my career, I have been looking for ways to improve myself and looking for
challenging work. I even took on remedial teaching and special needs teaching, just for the
satisfaction of making a difference in the children with learning difficulties. I am very flexible
and would always look for more challenges. I also studied counselling as a side skill and am
looking at child counselling. This opens up another whole new avenue for me. If there are
opportunities for counselling children, then I will be ready for it. This also increases my
marketability in the future for better opportunities.
My current studies in human resources management also places me in an advantageous
position, even in my current job. I will be in a better position should opportunities for
promotion into leadership and management positions occur. My understanding and
knowledge of the HR department functions can help the organization with recruitment,
labour practices, remuneration etc. These I believe are unique skills for someone in the
education sector and they can help boost my self-concept and self-esteem. Exploring different
potential scenarios, I believe can open up new possibilities. If promotion fails to happen in
education and if remuneration does not improve, I am setting myself up to try new prospects
in human resources management. Through career curiosity I believe I have positioned myself
in a strategic position where I will be eligible for a career move should my current one fail to
give me the satisfaction. The poor remuneration and unavailability of opportunities for
promotion in my current career motivated me to try studying for a possible career shift. So,
when it comes to it, I can do a career move and work in organisations as an HR personnel if
that will be fulfilling or if that would provide better remuneration.