Alternative Career Research Articles

Entrepreneurial well-being of expatriate entrepreneurs: self and world

PurposeThis paper explores the Entrepreneurial Well-Being (EWB) of expatriate entrepreneurs in China. Through the analysis of their contextualised lived experience across the entrepreneurial journey, the paper proposes a novel theorisation of EWB.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts an interpretivist approach of abductive reasoning to analyse the data from 50 in-depth interviews conducted with expatriate entrepreneurs in China. Expatriate entrepreneurs are confronted with enhanced challenges in their host country, leading to particular emotional engagement with the entrepreneurial journey.FindingsFindings show the importance of life situations, emotions and relatedness in the entrepreneurial process and the EWB of expatriate entrepreneurs. Theorising from their lived experiences, the paper presents EWB as a dynamic process. It further theorises this process as a constant, ongoing interaction and integration between the self and world, in an interplay of being and becoming. Such theorisation contributes first to advancements in the EWB literature, with a stronger emphasis on the entrepreneurial aspect. The paper also contributes to discussions on contextualised entrepreneurship by stressing the role of emotions and relatedness in the pursuit of EWB.Originality/valueEntrepreneurship is a global phenomenon, which is often presented as a suitable alternative career path for migrant and expatriate individuals. However, the importance of EWB for entrepreneurs requires further attention from policy-makers, support institutions and entrepreneurs themselves. By theorising EWB as a processual journey of being and becoming and the relation between the self and world, this paper opens avenues for innovative support policies and practices aiming at developing the full potential of individuals in entrepreneurship and promoting both the happiness index and the global index of society.

Entrepreneurial Reluctance: Talent and Firm Creation in China

Abstract This paper examines the correlation between cognitive ability and firm creation. Drawing on administrative college admissions data and firm registration records in China, we investigate who had created firms by their mid-30s. We find a clear pattern of entrepreneurial reluctance: Given the same backgrounds, individuals with higher college entrance exam scores are less likely to create firms. Through an exploration of firm performance, alternative career trajectories, and variations across regions, we propose an explanation: The ability represented by exam scores is useful across occupations, yet higher-scoring individuals are attracted to waged jobs, particularly those of the state sector.

Assessment on Maritime Students' Awareness, Perceptions and Needs in Career Planning in Tertiary Education

Although seafaring is seen as an attractive profession for prospective students in terms of having the opportunity to see different parts of the world while working and earning more money in less time compared to other professions, the harsh conditions of duties onboard sometimes overshadow this attractiveness, which may lead students to question their choices and seek different career alternatives. This study aims at assessing maritime students' knowledge, perceptions, and needs regarding career awareness and career planning at the tertiary level. The study also seeks to understand students' awareness of career-related activities and the role and responsibilities of the career centre. The research component of the study involves administering a questionnaire to 381 first-year students at a maritime-focused university. The questionnaire comprises twenty questions based on a five-point Likert scale and has been electronically distributed. The data collected has been analysed using parametric methods based on four variables: career anchor, career awareness, career centre awareness, and career planning awareness. The study has revealed that most of the students are aware of their own characteristics and the sacrifices required by their future profession, but they had not yet decided which career path to follow after graduation. The study has also revealed that students are interested in developing their skills through extracurricular activities and consider entrepreneurship as a future career option. The results suggest that career offices in maritime universities should create more opportunities to provide students with adequate information about their future careers and to enable them to make correct and realistic decisions about their career paths. The next study on this topic can focus on how to raise awareness of the functions of career officers and how to develop maritime-oriented career planning courses so that the students can make more realistic and satisfying career choices.

Modeling the operational and labor costs of autonomous robotaxi services

Autonomous vehicle (AV) companies are rolling out driverless taxi-type services in cities around the world, promising to enhance road safety, promote equity, and foster environmental sustainability while simultaneously threatening the jobs of current taxi and ride-hailing drivers. The potential impacts of these “robotaxi” services hinge upon not only whether AV technology becomes sufficiently performant, but also whether AV services become economically competitive. In this study, we develop ground-up cost models for a traditional taxi and a robotaxi service to compare their relative competitiveness. We draw on direct observations of commercially available robotaxi services, semi-structured interviews with AV operational and regulatory experts (N = 27), and archival documents to include the most detailed accounting of frontline robotaxi labor roles to date. We find that labor remains a significant cost for existing robotaxi services but that robotaxi operating costs are still lower than those of traditional taxi services. Ultimately, utilization rates and annual mileage will serve as the most influential factors for robotaxi competitiveness. Finally, if jobs shift from traditional taxi to robotaxi services, the total number of frontline jobs could decrease by between 57% and 76%, but the distribution of worker wages would shift higher. Transportation planners, researchers, and policymakers should continue accounting for labor costs in an AV future, as these costs will influence where AV deployment and job losses are (and are not) likely to occur, and should proactively investigate alternative career paths for potentially displaced frontline workers. Robotaxi costs are highly sensitive to lower labor ratios (i.e., fewer vehicles per worker), but firms reach economies of scale relatively quickly. Robotaxi firms should weigh marginal labor cost reductions against impacts to passengers and workers.

Playing the sycophant card: The logic and consequences of professing loyalty to the autocrat

AbstractDespite the centrality of the loyalty–competence framework in research on authoritarian politics, scholars have only focused on material aspects of what elites do in their service to the dictator. Yet nonmaterial aspects such as sycophantically praising the autocrat in speech—a common, everyday practice under authoritarianism, have been ignored. We propose a novel theory to explain under what conditions elites “overpraise” the ruler and imitate his rhetoric, and whether they will be rewarded. We test the empirical implications through semisupervised text analysis and an original dataset of almost 1000 annual legislative addresses of Russian governors. Contrary to common assumptions that sycophancy is uniform across elites, we find that governors who are politically and economically vulnerable and without alternative career paths behave more sycophantically and show that they survive in office longer. Our results have important implications for how personality cults develop and how dictators navigate the loyalty–competence trade‐off.

Talent Management in Indonesian National Armed Force: Addressing Personnel Bottlenecks

Over the years, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) has been tasked with upholding state sovereignty and national defence. However, TNI also faces a bottleneck among its middle- and high-ranking officers, leading to excess non-job personnel. Without corresponding promotion adjustments, the current policy will affect the institution's performance and officers' careers. This study applied qualitative research by conducting interviews and gathering primary and secondary data through focused group discussion and literature review from various policy documents and reports. The findings then highlight the solutions with talent management emerging as a strategic approach. It offers a second-best policy option by promoting professionalism and modernity while addressing organisational challenges. Through this approach, we tried to propose evidence-based solutions to improve organisational performance and address personnel bottleneck issues. This study proposes a new approach to talent management strategies. It involves recruiting, developing, and retaining high-potential individuals and optimising functional positions based on expertise to offer an alternative career path. The talent management approach also aims to enhance efficiency and effectiveness within military organisations

Plastic surgery as an alternate career choice: Analysis of medical student disinterest and attrition in plastic surgery

Plastic surgery as an alternate career choice: Analysis of medical student disinterest and attrition in plastic surgery

Entrepreneurial identity as a career compass – An exploration of the career narratives of entrepreneurial education graduates

PurposeSince there are limited role models and career templates for entrepreneurship education (EE) graduates in the labour market, their careers are largely based on personal preferences, aspirations and values. Few studies have investigated how EE impacts graduates’ career aspirations. The present study addressed this gap by exploring how entrepreneurial identity (EI) manifestations act as career identities for EE graduates.Design/methodology/approachFive graduates from two EE programmes in Norway were purposefully selected based on their career histories. They were interviewed using a life story approach, and the narratives were analysed to explore how their EIs were developed and how the EIs acted as career identities.FindingsThe study findings revealed three EI manifestations that directed the participants’ careers: change agent, career seeker and maverick specialist. Additionally, the findings showed how EI is developed through EE: by connecting previous aspirations to realistic career alternatives, by being a place where individuals can experiment with provisional selves and by gaining social acceptance and affirmations for a claimed identity. Furthermore, the findings demonstrated how EI manifestations act as career identities that give direction to graduates’ careers.Originality/valueThis study has important implications regarding the broader impact of EE on graduates’ careers. Furthermore, by exploring EE graduates’ narratives, this study provides a richer and more nuanced view of how aspirations and career preferences are developed than previous studies.

Painter Leonardo da Vinci or Leonardo from Caffa in Crimea: Challenging the attribution of selected documents

This article reinterprets four documents attributed to the artist Leonardo da Vinci. These documents include a drawing considered to be a Tuscan landscape with an inscribed date of August 5, 1473, a single double-sided page with drawings, writings, and a tensioning crossbow design dated 1478, a drawing of a hanged man dated 1479, and a letter written in Turkish to the Sultan of Istanbul dated circa 1502. If the Tuscan painter created these documents, he was pursuing an alternative career as a scientist. However, the information is incomplete and inaccurate. First, the landscape does not represent Tuscany. Instead, further research indicates that it is the depiction of a fortress in Crimea that relates to significant events occurring in the Ottoman arena between 1473 and 1475. Second, biographers have failed to show evidence that the Tuscan painter had military connections, raising the issue of a non-affiliation with any militia. Third, the sketch of a hanged man focuses an unexplained attention on the victim’s Turkish style of dress. Finally, a letter sent to Istanbul around 1502 claimed Leonardo was Genoese. Taking note of these points, a cumulative reading of the evidence shows that the man who crafted these documents originated from Caffa, a Genoese colony on the Black Sea that the Ottomans captured in 1475. Although this might sound speculative, further documents discussed in the final section indicate that Florence banished the Tuscan painter Leonardo da Vinci around 1477 and that he later died in Bologna in 1499. Therefore, this Tuscan Leonardo could not have written the Notebooks, and the man who died in France in 1519 could not have been him. The research adds a deeper understanding of Turkish influences in the documents and highlights how information gathered outside Europe can better explain them. The findings urge Western art historians to expand their research and to reconsider other authors.

Best practices for recruitment in veterinary clinical trials.

A successful clinical trial requires participants, but many factors can impede effective study recruitment. To better recruit for quality veterinary clinical trials in client-owned animals that lead to improved evidence-based patient care and outcomes, there is a collective need to share and implement current best practices for recruitment strategies. These strategies should utilize a holistic view of recruitment, encompassing study design and logistics, representative participation, incentives, personnel resources, advertising, and participant retention. Although human clinical trial data and resources can provide guidance, effort also needs to be put into evaluating current practices and opportunities for process improvement that are specific to the conduct of veterinary clinical trials. Considering the power of pets as naturally occurring models of disease and as sentinels, improved conduct of veterinary clinical research has the potential to inform human health outcomes. Continued development of collaborations surrounding best practices and training opportunities in veterinary clinical research will improve the impact of veterinary clinical trials teams, while also promoting workforce development and alternate career paths for veterinary professionals.

Alternative career pathways of skilled migrants: looking for new meanings amid starting again

ABSTRACT This qualitative study aims to provide an in-depth understanding of skilled migrants’ lived experiences of alternative careers. We explore identity work and meaning-making processes of career actors for whom alternative career options often meant “beginning again”. While focusing on psychological, temporal, and contextual dimensions of alternative career transitions, our findings identify three unique alternative career pathways: provisional, experimental, and reformist; each characterized by a unique form of identity work and accompanying types of meaning-making. We find that alternative career pathways differ in terms of their temporary and at times provisional nature as well as career actors’ (in)ability to engage in the present search for meanings and purpose in alternative careers. This study advances existing literature on major career transitions and specifically migrant career trajectories inside of local organizations and through unique forms of alternative careers. We also build on the existing meaning-making literature by highlighting the career narratives of those who must search for new meanings while pursuing “less than ideal” career opportunities. Finally, our findings provide practical implications related to outcomes of alternative career opportunities on migrant career success but also more broadly for employers and policymakers.

Media plurality, independence and Talanoa: An alternative Pacific journalism education model

The shrinking mainstream media plurality in Aotearoa New Zealand provides a context for examining publication of campus-based media where student and faculty editorial staff have successfully established an independent Asia-Pacific digital and print press over the past two decades. New Zealand’s largest city Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) has the largest urban population of Pacific Islanders globally—more than 300,000 people in a total of 1.7 million (Pasifika New Zealand, n.d.), earning the moniker ‘Polynesian capital of the world’. The presenter has had a pioneering role with four university-based journalism publications in the Pacific region as key adviser/publisher in Papua New Guinea (Uni Tavur, 1993-1998); Fiji (Wansolwara, 1998-2002); and Aotearoa/New Zealand (Pacific Scoop, 2009-2015; Asia Pacific Report, 2016 onwards), and also with two journalism school-based publications in Australia (Reportage, 1996, and The Junction, 2018-2020) (Robie, 2018). In early 2021, he was co-founder of the Asia Pacific Media Network | Te Koakoa Incorporated which has emerged as a collective umbrella for academics, student journalists and independent reporters producing innovative publications, including the research journal Pacific Journalism Review and a strengthened Asia Pacific Report, which draw on a cross-disciplinary range of media contributors and scholars in other professions. These contributors are mindful of the challenges of reportage about the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This article explores an independent journalism model drawing on professional outlets for Asia-Pacific students and how an investigative and storytelling model like ‘Talanoa Journalism’ can be an effective bridge to alternative media careers and addressing ‘blind spots’ in legacy news media.

Perceived university entrepreneurship support services and entrepreneurial intentions: experiences from the University of Dodoma’s graduates

Entrepreneurship plays a pivotal role in economic growth for developing countries, including Tanzania. Unfortunately, the number of entrepreneurs in Tanzania is still lagging behind other East African countries. The emergence of knowledge-based entrepreneurship programs makes universities one of the vital supply sources for creating entrepreneurs. Even though it has institutional support from the government, entrepreneurship is still not considered a promising alternative career choice. Thus, we investigated the influence of perceived university support services on building entrepreneurial intention from the perspective of the University of Dodoma’s graduates. In this cross-sectional research study, a sample size of 120 is drawn from the business graduates of the University of Dodoma who have received entrepreneurship support services using two-stage random sampling, of which females were 37.5% and males were 62.5%. The data were analysed using multiple regressions. The study found that most of the respondents do not intend to own businesses. The study further found that perceived entrepreneurship education and business development support services have a positive and significant influence on the odds of graduates becoming entrepreneurs. However, concept development support has a positive but insignificant influence on graduates’ entrepreneurial intentions. Thus, we draw a number of recommendations for the theory, future research, and practice of university entrepreneurship support services.

Career aspiration and workplace reality – Lived experience of early career professional women in construction

Despite the increasing number of women studying built environment and engineering courses, the participation of professional women in construction remains low in Australia. Interviews with early career professional women in construction showed a misalignment between career aspiration and career reality because of gender bias, discrimination and harassment, procedural bias, and a demanding work environment based on a male work model. Due to structural and cultural career constraints, many women had already given up thinking they could achieve their goals and were considering an alternative career path. Practical implications highlight that organisations can support the retention and success of early career professional women by fundamentally re-shaping workplace culture and work practices. This change is essential so that early career women are certain that a long-term career in construction is viable and that they will be able to combine work and family commitments if they choose to do so without a career penalty.

‘Unmitigated Cad’: The Dual Stardom of George Sanders 1

This article explores the dual star image of Hollywood film star George Sanders (1906-1972), drawing on fan magazines, and other media sources and interviews with a family member. The focus is on the ambivalence of Sanders’ persona and his role in establishing the archetype of the cad. Initially, Sanders was portrayed by fan publications as a pin-up, whose attractiveness even came to briefly have a propaganda function. His association with a type of masculinity that was misogynistic, queer and attractive was paradoxical. His duality was reinforced by the roles he played on screen and by the sudden appearance in Hollywood of his older brother, Tom Conway, who acted as his shadow and his double. Sanders hated his stardom, but he made use of his star status to attempt to establish alternative careers; in writing, singing, and in a particular ill-fated business venture.

Crossroads of Choice: A qualitative study of the factors influencing decisions to transition from sex work among women engaged in sex work in Southern Uganda.

Background Women Engaged in commercial Sex Work (WESW) are exposed to behavioral, biological, and structural factors that exacerbate their risk to HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections. While commercial sex work may appear voluntary, WESW are more likely to be constrained to selling sex due to limited viable alternatives. To effectively support this vulnerable group of women, it is critical to understand factors that facilitate and impede their decisions to transition from sex work into other careers or jobs. The current study explored women's decision to transition from sex work into other careers or jobs. Methods Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 53 WESW aged 20-47 enrolled within a larger study-Kyaterekera study, a randomized clinical trial (N = 542) implemented in 19 HIV hotspots in the Southern region of Uganda. Participants were selected based on their intervention attendance (high/medium/low attendance). The interviews were conducted in Luganda the widely spoken language in the study area to explore the factors influencing women's decisions to from transition from sex work to other jobs or careers. The main interview question used for this study was, "What are some of the factors that may influence whether you would transition from sex work to other jobs or vocations?". All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and translated into English. Thematic analysis in Dedoose software was used to analyze the data. Results Participants reported three primary types of decisions, including considering leaving sex work, deciding to leave, and continuing sex work. The emerging themes from the interviews were categorized into individual and structural level facilitators and barriers to leave sex work. Individual level factors included issues of stigma, discrimination, and aging as factors that facilitated women's decision to leave sex work. At the structural level, factors which include interpersonal stigma and discrimination (from immediate family and community members), physical and sexual violence and income related factors were identified as facilitators and barriers to leaving sex work. Conclusion Our study highlights the complex decision-making processes among WESW as they navigate transitions to alternative jobs or careers. By advocating for multifaceted interventions and policies tailored to the diverse challenges faced by WESW, our study contributes to a more informed approach to supporting their transition out of sex work.

A qualitative study of final year student veterinary nurses' career plans and expectations

Introduction: The limited longevity of veterinary nurses' clinical careers is a current challenge faced in the veterinary industry. In order for veterinary nurse job vacancies to be filled, it is essential for graduate veterinary nurses to be motivated to seek employment in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to explore the career plans and expectations of final year student veterinary nurses. Method: Online semi-structured interviews with ten final year student veterinary nurses were used to collect qualitative data. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results: The results revealed that there were aspects of clinical practice the participants were looking forward to and others they perceived would be challenging and may threaten the longevity of their clinical career. An example was the demanding nature of the job role. Discussion: All participants expressed a desire to work in clinical practice following their graduation, but were aware that they were unlikely to have long-term clinical careers. It is recommended that veterinary nurse educators should support students to develop the resilience necessary for them to face the challenges of clinical practice and also help them to gain the transferrable skills they may require for alternative future career paths.

Pathway to cardiothoracic surgery: A primer for aspiring students

ObjectiveThe pathway to cardiothoracic surgery is often obscure for premedical students and aspiring applicants and requires navigating various known and unknown obstacles. Recognizing the challenges encountered on the path to a career in cardiothoracic surgery in the United States, we present this guide for students interested in the field to maximize success in their premedical, preclinical, and preresidency years. MethodsThis is a joint collaboration between the Thoracic Surgery Residents Association and the Thoracic Surgery Medical Student Association. Drawing from firsthand experiences and insights gathered from numerous student applicants and current surgical residents, a comprehensive guide was constructed for students from the point of undergraduate school to advanced training options, including super-fellowship training. ResultsSeveral intricacies to cardiothoracic surgery career planning were discussed, including differences between traditional and integrated/fast-track pathways, college and medical school selection, networking, performing during clinical rotations, extracurricular and research activities, building mentorship relationships, and pursuing alternate career and advanced training opportunities. ConclusionsFor premedical students and aspiring applicants, the road to cardiothoracic surgery requires meticulous planning, grit, and thoughtful dedication. This document consolidates firsthand insights and advice from numerous aspiring and matched applicants to serve as a comprehensive guide for students seeking a career in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery.

TO ASSESS THE KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS CAREER OPTION AFTER BDS AMONGST INTERNEES IN WEST BENGAL : AN ONLINE QUESTIONNAIRE STUDY

Introduction: A Graduates career is the course of action they pursue to fulfill their intended employment . The journey from the hallowed halls of dental education to the dynamic realm of professional practice marks a critical juncture in the lives of dental internees. As these individuals transition from the theoretical foundations of their Bachelor of Dental Surgery education to the practical landscape of dentistry, their knowledge and attitudes towards career options become pivotal. Apart from traditional career paths such as private dental practice or working in hospitals there are several alternative and less-known career options that BDS graduates can explore which are yet to be saturated. Before choosing any alternative career path, its essential for BDS graduates to gain additional qualifications or certifications, if required, and network with professionals in their chosen field of interest, for which a tailored support system and guidance program is essential. This study endeavours to explore the multifaceted aspects of the knowledge and attitudes held by dental internees in West Bengal, India, concerning their career choices post-BDS. Objective: To assess the knowledge and attitude toward career option after BDS amongst internees in west Bengal. Material And Method: The study will be conducted among 200 Internees from various dental colleges across West Bengal. For the study a standardized Questionnaire consisting of 12 questions will be formulated in Google Form format and link will be circulated to the Participants. Statistical Analysis: The statistics was generated by Google Forms and tabulated accordingly. Conclusion: By giving students the information and tools they require to make wise career decisions, we can produce a new heneration of dental professionals who are not only clinically skilled but also well-suited to succeed in a variety of professional environments.

Peran Sikap Kewirausahaan dalam Memoderasi Pengetahuan Kewirausahaan dan Dukungan Keluarga terhadap Minat Berwirausaha

Entrepreneurial interest is a person's tendency or desire to start and develop a business. Entrepreneurship is important for vocational students in determining career alternatives. This study aims to examine the effect of entrepreneurial attitudes in moderating entrepreneurial knowledge and family support on entrepreneurial interest. The quantitative approach is the type of research used in this study, while the design used is a causality research design. The population in this study were 216 students of class XI and XII marketing majors SMK Negeri 2 Semarang. The sampling technique was proportional random sampling and obtained a sample of 139 students. Data collection tools using questionnaires. Data analysis techniques used in this study are descriptive statistics and SEM-PLS analysis (Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Square). The results of hypothesis testing suggest that: there is a positive and significant effect of entrepreneurial knowledge on entrepreneurial interest (34.3%), there is a positive and significant effect of family support on entrepreneurial interest (55.1%), there is a negative and significant effect of entrepreneurial attitudes in moderating entrepreneurial knowledge on entrepreneurial interest (41.8%), and there is a positive and significant effect of entrepreneurial attitudes in moderating family support on entrepreneurial interest (13.3%). This study found that entrepreneurial knowledge has a positive and significant effect on entrepreneurial interest; family support has a positive and significant effect on entrepreneurial interest; and entrepreneurial attitudes have a negative and significant effect on moderating entrepreneurial knowledge on entrepreneurial interest. This study recommends improved educational facilities, better entrepreneurship lessons, improved entrepreneurial attitudes, and family support to encourage students' interest in entrepreneurship.