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IOP3703-Exam Prep - Summary Career Psychology
Career Psychology (University of South Africa)
IOP3703-Exam Prep –
Summary Career HP
Psychology
, 2
IOP3703
Exam Revision
May/June 2024
Semester One-Assignment One
Question 1
1. Distinguish between the traditional and contemporary de昀椀nitions of a career. Also explain
the di昀昀erence between subjective and objective careers. Chapter 3 Page 91-94 PB
2. The 21st century workforce presents a multigenerational workforce that is actively
involved in organisations. Critically discuss the generational diversity faced by
organisations in the contemporary world of work. Chapter 2 Page 47-50 PB
21’st century workforce - 5 workforce generations
• Silent generation – born 1922 – 1945
• Most traditional, working fathers, traditional work ethics
• Highly disciplined, hardworking, loyal, play by the rules, wisdom keepers,
natural leaders & mentors
• Baby boomers – born 1946 – 1964
• Education top priority
• Raised in homes enjoying economic prosperity & strong nuclear family
• Mothers homemakers & fathers breadwinners
• Surrounded by issues from elder parents on one end and adult children on
another and are being put more in a position of needing to parent the
IOP3703-Exam Prep –
Summary Career HP
Psychology
, 3
parents
• Generation X – born 1965 – 1976
1|Page
IOP3703-Exam Prep –
Summary Career HP
Psychology
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• Raised with a silver spoon & sense of entitlement
• Often viewed as slackers with less involvement and pessimistic views of
politics & other issues
• Some very traditional, optimistic, hardworking, narrow minded belief in
gender roles and stereotypes
• High divorce rate & increased number of working mothers
• Characterised by traits of independence, resilience and adaptability
• Work well in multicultural settings
• Generation Y – born 1977 – 2000
• Will be in force through 昀椀rst quarter of 21 century
• Self-con昀椀dent – set goals and go for them
• Desire structures & direction in workplace
• High tech second nature
• Mentor relationship between a senior and Y will be good match
• Millennium generation – born since 2000
• In昀氀uenced by historical & political events
• Expect equal pay as an everyday occurrence & will be 昀氀exible
• Comfortable with diversity
3. Career concepts explain the objective and subjective careers of individuals. Brie昀氀y discuss
how career planning, career management, career self-management, career competency
and career motivation have in昀氀uenced your objective or subjective career. Chapter 3 Page
94-108 PB
• Career planning: an initiative where an individual exerts personal control and agency
(initiative) over their career and engages in informed choices as to his or her
occupation organisation, job assignment and self-development by conducting self-
assessment, formulating goals and developing plans for reaching those goals.
Though the responsibility for career planning lies with the individual, organisations
can assist by providing career planning tools or workshops through career
counselling, workbooks, career resource centres, etc. to guide employees to conduct
self-assessment, analyse and evaluate their career options and preferences, write
down development objectives and prepare a career management plan or strategy.
Self-knowledge is a prerequisite for career planning. It involves knowledge of one's
skills, values, strengths and weaknesses.
• Career management: the ongoing process whereby the employee takes action to
obtain: self-knowledge, knowledge of employment opportunities, develop career
goals, develop a strategy, implement and experiment, obtain feedback on the
e昀昀ectiveness of the strategy and the relevance of the goals. It is a continuous
process of work life that involves making realistic choices, which implies moving
away from the exclusive focus on interests to examine realistic choices within a zone
of preferred and possible choices. Skills acquisition plays a critical role in
occupational goal attainment. Individuals have the primary responsibility for career
management, with organisations taking a supportive role.
IOP3703-Exam Prep –
Summary Career HP
Psychology
