Professional Trajectories Research Articles

Work-Life Balance of Working Women: Impact on Job Performance and Promotion

This research paper explores the correlation between work-life balance and the job performance and promotional prospects of employed women. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, it collects data on work-life balance practices and encounters of women across diverse professions. The analysis centers on elucidating the impact of proficiently managing work and personal life on job effectiveness and the probability of career progression. Key findings underscore the significance of tackling work-life balance challenges to foster gender parity in work environments and augment women's career advancement. In essence, the study underscores the pivotal role of work-life equilibrium in shaping women's professional trajectories and advocates for its prioritization in organizational policies and practices.

Academic identities in today’s university: a visual study

ABSTRACT Recent years have seen the development of accountability processes to monitor the quality, autonomy, and performance of universities. These include the evaluation of university academics based on a quality quantification system that prioritizes research over other roles. For Spanish academics, their professional trajectories hinge entirely on successfully navigating evaluation procedures of this type. This study analyzes the impact of these processes on the academic identity of university teaching staff through an alternative and complementary perspective using visual methodologies. To this end, we employed collaborative image creation processes and engaged in reflective analysis, applying both narrative (vertical) and paradigmatic (horizontal) approaches. The results reveal the particular impact of evaluation processes on the identity of university academics. Additionally, we observed the influence of other elements that further amplify this impact, including job insecurity, the quest for employment stability, autonomy to fulfill the work role, as well as the prevalence of inequalities and competitiveness within access procedures. Consequently, we have identified the development of identities with distinct nuances, all underpinned by a common thread: subservience to the demands of evaluation processes, which have emotional and health consequences. This article concludes by proposing lines of action to enable the optimal development of academics.

Charting futures: understanding anticipatory professional socialisation practices of prospective accountants within higher education

ABSTRACT Drawing on Bourdieu’s sociological framework, this study examines how prospective accountants engage with professional socialisation opportunities within the accounting higher education field. Prospective accountants globally experience anticipatory professional socialisation through which they develop employability skills and shape their professional trajectories. Through interviews with Malaysian prospective accountants and insights from local accounting professionals and academics, this study reveals that the prospective accountants’ professional socialisation practice is not solely a conscious and deliberate process. Instead, it involves ongoing negotiation between an individual’s habitus (way of being), capital (resources), and the opportunities that the accounting higher education field offers to them. The findings also highlight the ways in which an individual’s way of being is influenced by their class and ethnic background, and how this impacts their socialisation and career orientations. Individuals from privileged backgrounds tend to possess greater cultural and social capital, positioning them advantageously to benefit from professional development opportunities provided by their institutions compared to those from less privileged backgrounds. These findings raise questions about the role of higher education institutions in promoting equity and expanding access to the accountancy profession for underprivileged groups.

Breaking Stigmas, Forging Paths:

In the corridors of Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, I embarked on a transformative journey inpsychiatry, one that not only shaped my professional trajectory but propelled a fervent resolve tocombat entrenched stigmas surrounding mental health. Guided by the compassionate mentorship of myclinical supervisor, my clinical attachment became the crucible in which my motivation to pursuepsychiatry as an international medical graduate (IMG) was ignited.

Russian Student Readiness for Professional Service: from Actual to Desired

The phenomenon of service comes into our area of interest when we are talking about the uniqueness of Russia’s social structure and the markers that define it. Service can be included in everyday life through professional activities, therefore we can consider the subject, focusing on its type. The goal of the research is to determine the meaning of professional service, its place in the modern world, as well as the development of methodological guidelines guiding the training session. Achieving the goal would be impossible without relying on the methodology of the social and philosophical analysis, value, activity, and psychological approaches.The following problems that structure the presentation of the material have been solved. 1. The origins of the idea of service and the ways of its development in Russian society are revealed. Retrospectively the transformation of the ministry is considered from the formation of Russian statehood to modernity. 2. The service strategy for any specialist activity is determined. It is argued that the ethics of every profession can be built around the idea of service. 3. The direction of the formation of students’ attitudes towards an acquired profession based on service is proposed. They are: awareness of the importance of labor; assessment of the work role as a goal; developed social responsibility; acceptance of service as one of life’s principles. 4. Meaningful guidelines are outlined in the discussion of possible difficulties, that may arise on the path of professional service. Such changes include: loss of motivation; loss of professionalism value; refusal of a lifelong professional trajectory. The research is exploratory in nature, but the results obtained turn out to be fruitful for the exchange of the first experience of conducting the course “Fundamentals of Russian Statehood”, and later, theoretical and methodological discussion with possible correction of educational material.

Human Capital Strategies to Foster Employee Engagement Within Post Pandemic Layoffs

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to highlight productivity and engagement issues being experienced across industries, subsequent to strategic human capital realignment, in response to changes in the business environment. The linkages among employee engagement as related to leadership communication, work-life balance, and professional development are explored as the discussion draws on previous research examining employee’s organizational behavior to leadership response within the midst of exceptional events. Design/Methodology/Approach: The authors draw upon 15+ years in general management, communications consultant, and research in organizational behavior. Findings: Research shows that the restoration of trust and a path to creating an organizational culture which invites job engagement through organizational commitment are paramount. The combination of specific strategies coupled with organizational resource management during crises such as rapid and massive layoffs, change, and uncertainty indicates the necessity for tenacity with adaptability facilitated by strategic leadership communication of a shared vision. It will be important for organizational leaders to consider human capital investment strategies that can boost engagement. Practical Implications: Within the context of uncertainty organizational leaders must communicate empathy with employees and examine how much of a role an individual’s perceived career mobility and skill competence plays in strengthening their work engagement. Employees with positive work-life balance can exercise resilience, creativity, and tenacity. As organizations tackle the varying factors related to employee retention and engagement, they should implement strategies that not only retain employees but equip them with the characteristics that define psychological capital within the future of work. Post-pandemic organizational behavioral practices must empower employees to obtain a work lifestyle that allows them to feel in control of their personal and professional trajectories. Originality/value: The current study contributes to the stream of literature on layoff anxiety, productivity issues, and the role leadership communication and human capital strategies play in bolstering employee engagement. Furthermore, the current study highlights the importance of strategic leadership communication as organizations grapple with the challenges of a post layoff exercise, such as, how to increase productivity, engagement, retention, adaptability to the future of work, and profitability for long term growth.

ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS AND ANIMAL WELFARE

This article traces the professional historical trajectory of promoting health and well-being through investigations and interventions in environmental health, associated with education for university, intersectoral and interdisciplinary sustainability based on the vitalist philosophy of Samuel Hahnemann and determinations established by the Brazilian Ministry of Health . Scientific initiation activities developed rational skills for thinking aimed at solving local problems regarding sustainability with raw plant extracts and ultra-diluted and energized solutions for animal welfare. In parallel, there was the construction of competence in environmental ethics in line with the concept of environmental health, the new Brazilian code of medical ethics and the concept of one health. We declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Perspectives of the System of Additional Education, Considering the Principles of Individualization for Designing Professional Trajectories

Perspectives of developing system of additional education, implemented in the Institute of Additional Education have been discussed in the article, namely: construction of the trajectories of the professional development based on the principles of individualization, interdisciplinarity and practice orientation.

Teachers, leadership, and Black boys’ racialized funds of knowledge

While an abundant literature has theorized the complex and layered reasons why many young Black men choose not to teach and/or leave the K-12 classroom, comparatively less has been written about the professional journeys of those few who stay and slowly make their way through teaching and into teacher leadership. In this article, we story a young Black male educator’s professional trajectory across K-12 spaces as a teacher, an instructional coach, and a K-12 public policy research associate. Our findings emphasize how the racialized funds of knowledge that Ryan Holmes (a pseudonym) accumulated as a Black boy in a highly segregated rural South Carolina town were the social catechism that later guided his professional interactions with (White female) K-12 teachers and administrators. We conclude with the argument for hearing and receiving Black male teacher-leaders’ lived experiences in hyper-segregated K-12 spaces.

Inequality beneath the surface: a Belgian case study on structural discrimination in the workplace and the role of organizational structure, culture and policies

PurposeThe context of a long-standing research tradition, discrimination has emerged as a critical factor contributing to inequalities within the labor market. While existing studies have primarily focused on overt discrimination during the recruitment and selection process, influenced by biases, attitudes, or stereotypes, there remains a significant knowledge gap regarding discrimination within the workplace and its underlying structural dimensions. This article aims to address this gap by examining the impact of organizational culture, structure and policies on workplace discrimination, with a particular emphasis on women and ethnic minorities.Design/methodology/approachUtilizing a case study strategy centered around a Belgian branch of a multinational professional service agency, data was gathered through ten semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted with employees representing various organizational levels.FindingsThe findings reveal that organizational culture, structure and policies may pose inherent risks in perpetuating discrimination throughout individuals' professional trajectories. Furthermore, it becomes apparent that, albeit often unconscious, these elements exhibit biases against women and ethnic minorities.Social implicationsGiven the unintentional nature of structural discrimination, it is crucial to foster increased awareness and understanding of these dynamics.Originality/valueThe originality of this research article lies in its focus on addressing a critical knowledge gap in the existing research tradition on discrimination in the labor market. While previous studies have primarily concentrated on overt discrimination during recruitment and selection, this article delves into the often overlooked area of discrimination within the workplace itself. It explores the intricate interplay of organizational culture, structure and policies in perpetuating discrimination, particularly against women and ethnic minorities. By utilizing a case study approach within a multinational professional service agency in Belgium, the research uncovers hidden biases and unconscious elements contributing to structural discrimination. This emphasis on understanding unintentional discrimination adds a novel dimension to the discourse on workplace inequalities.

Tracer Study of Bachelor of Science in Accountancy Graduates

The study primarily aims to trace the employability of the Bachelor of Science in Accountancy graduates. It focuses on determining their educational background, post-graduation activities, and employment. Moreover, the study is structured to assess the importance of undergraduate programs in fostering the skills development of graduates and the applicability of the curriculum's courses to their subsequent employment. A tracer study, elucidating graduates' educational and career paths, is a vital instrument in comprehending the outcomes of academic pursuits. Employing stratified sampling techniques, strata were derived from graduates spanning the years 2018 to 2022, ensuring comprehensive representation. In scrutinizing educational backgrounds, a notable 50.6% lacked specific certifications, with the Civil Service Examination emerging as the predominant certification at 28.1%. Influential factors in course selection were diverse, with parental influence (16.0%) and the allure of immediate employment (14.5%) exerting substantial impacts. A 14.6% of respondents in the professional training category chose the designation "Bookkeeping," indicating a substantial interest in acquiring skills related to bookkeeping. The study exposed a significant 68.4% of graduates currently employed, emphasizing the consequential impact of skill mismatches on job satisfaction. Notably, 67.8% of employment remained local, indicating a balanced representation of domestic and international work opportunities. The institutional contribution to graduates' personal growth was evident, as values like environmental responsibility and service to humanity strongly influenced professional behavior. In conclusion, this tracer study, methodically executed through stratified sampling, provides nuanced insights into graduates' educational and professional trajectories, underscoring the multifaceted influences shaping their career choices and emphasizing the integral role of education in fostering ethical and successful professionals.

Romantic opportunism: Doing the work of structures in post-feminist creative industries

This article contributes to feminist cultural studies on the creative industries by offering an ethnographic account of the lifeworld of a female and creative entrepreneur. Drawing on interview data and ethnographic observations collected over the course of 10 years, I offer a thick description of the personal and professional trajectories of Alexandra, through the rise and fall of her fashion brand and first marriage and on to her second marriage and new job as an employee for a marketing firm. I focus on the ways in which she becomes her own microstructure, building connection between love and career in a de-regulated and de-territorialised environment. I argue that she engages in what I call ‘romantic opportunism’, a biographical device that enables her to spot instrumental connections between different dimensions of life, whilst unifying them into a romantic plot. The story of Alexandra can therefore be seen as an instantiation of ‘freelance feminism’, whereby life emerges as the combination of parallel and interdependent projects.

From anonymity to protagonism: the trajectory of industrialists Gustavo Paiva and Delmiro Gouveia in Alagoas

This article investigated the contribution of industrialists Gustavo Paiva and Delmiro Gouveia to the implementation of workers' residential centers at the “Cachoeira” and “Progresso” factories in Rio Largo-AL and “Pedra”, in the former Água Branca-AL. This analysis was carried out through the study of the professional trajectory of the industrialists, understanding the inspirations and models followed, analyzing the labor relations existing in the factories during the period of the industrialists' management, and finally, understanding the importance of the industrialists' figures for the current cities of Rio Largo-AL and Delmiro Gouveia-AL. The research was based on bibliographic, iconographic and audiovisual sources with surveys and systematization of information obtained through research in local archives and virtual portals of journals from scientific institutions; in addition to visiting the cities of Rio Largo-AL and Delmiro Gouveia-AL. In this way, we sought, in addition to enriching the bibliography of Alagoas through the recovery of the history of the implementation of the old manufacturing centers, to establish a relationship between the two industrialists that actually consists of their notable trajectories, following their own way of acting, as pioneers, businessmen and benefactors of the Brazilian northeast, who devoted themselves to the region's socioeconomic progress and important legacies for the history of Brazil.

Scientific mentoring in the higher education system: the results of an empirical study

The article is devoted to the problem of scientific mentoring in the higher education system. Research activities are an integral part of university education. The teaching staff of higher educational institutions is represented by scientific and pedagogical workers, the reproduction of human resources for this system requires active involvement in research activities, supporting postgraduate students. To ensure continuity, it is necessary to include students in this activity, only a successful process of scientific socialization during the years of study is able to ensure the subsequent professional realization of young specialists in the higher education system. Scientific mentoring can be implemented in various forms. The choice of the option depends on the target audience, specialty, course of study, established traditions, individual psychological and pedagogical characteristics of students, features of the professional trajectory of students. A survey of students of higher educational institutions and teaching staff was used as research methods. When working with the heads of structural divisions, the method of in-depth interview was chosen. The main conclusions of the conducted research are: high assessment of the importance of scientific mentoring by all participants of the survey. Among the most important qualities of mentors is a good command of their field of knowledge and the ability to intelligibly convey this knowledge to students. The teaching staff faces a number of organizational, methodological and informational difficulties in implementing the function of scientific mentors. The implementation of this activity is dominated by short trajectories of scientific leadership of students. In most cases, the mentor provides guidance as part of the preparation of articles. Heads of departments and deans among the barriers to the development of the mentoring system testify of a weak starting level of students, a low level of motivation of teachers.

Navigating Post-Graduation Crossroads: Seeking Employment or Continuing Education

Hasan Syamsuddin, a native Indonesian, a recent graduate of a public university in Malaysia, faced a pivotal juncture post-graduation: choosing between entering the workforce or pursuing further education. His journey encompassed profound introspection and exploration. Returning to Malaysia for convocation, Hasan reflected on his undergraduate years, contemplating the crossroads between political science and entrepreneurship. He navigates the complexities of dual aspirations – a global career in international relations or entrepreneurial pursuits aligned with his passion for arts and crafts. Amid burnout and rest, Hasan proactively sought opportunities, delving into internships, volunteers and entrepreneurial endeavors. The weight of responsibility as a firstborn intensified the pressure to decide on a path shaping his professional trajectory. Hasan's intricate preparations and scholarship applications for Romania, the US, and the UK showcased his unwavering commitment to learn about and contribute towards global change in international relations.

Addiction interprofessional experiences of care: Stress, coping and transformation.

This study aimed to explore healthcare professionals' attribution of meaning to the concept of addiction, treatment and recovery. The study was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 18 healthcare professionals in the field of addiction: nine nurses, six psychologists, a psychiatrist, a social worker and a psychosocial technician. Based on a qualitative methodology, a thematic analysis was performed using the NVivo software. Regarding professional stress, the results revealed several stress factors related to the intervention (e.g. strategic powerlessness and uncertainty of intervention's effectiveness), the addicted individuals (e.g. motivation, difficulties in adhering to treatment, patient behaviour, negative patient emotionality and lack of socio-economic resources) as well as the healthcare services (e.g. team stress). Adaptive coping strategies were reported, both used in the work context (e.g. cognitive coping strategies and acceptance) and in personal life (e.g. work-family boundaries and family support and closeness). Despite the professional stress experienced, the participants' narratives indicated positive transformations of the self, which suggests resilient professional trajectories.

Key stakeholder voices: Investigating student perceptions of teachers’ use of assessment for learning

Many schools aim to implement Assessment for Learning (AfL) to stimulate students to take more ownership of their learning and develop self-regulatory skills. This survey-based study is among the few in the field showing how students experience the extent of implementation of AfL, here in English language and mathematics classes in 12 Dutch secondary schools. Analysis showed no differences between the subjects. Students (N = 685) experienced activities to clarify the learning intentions and success criteria and eliciting evidence on their learning progress regularly (between 50–74% of the lessons). Students hardly ever experienced activities aimed at peer- and self-assessment (less than 25% of the lessons). However, cluster analysis revealed three distinct clusters related to the extent of AfL strategy use students experienced. Overall, we can conclude that AfL is not yet fully integrated into teaching practices. Teachers’ skills, knowledge and attitudes required to increase student engagement in AfL practices and strengthen students’ self-regulated learning need more attention in future teacher professional development trajectories.

Celebrating Professor Rajeev K. Varshney's transformative research odyssey from genomics to the field on his induction as Fellow of the Royal Society.

Professor Rajeev K. Varshney's transformative impact on crop genomics, genetics, and agriculture is the result of his passion, dedication, and unyielding commitment to harnessing the potential of genomics to address the most pressing challenges faced by the global agricultural community. Starting from a small town in India and reaching the global stage, Professor Varshney's academic and professional trajectory has inspired many scientists active in research today. His ground-breaking work, especially his effort to list orphan tropical crops to genomic resource-rich entities, has been transformative. Beyond his scientific achievements, Professor Varshney is recognized by his colleagues as an exemplary mentor, fostering the growth of future researchers, building institutional capacity, and strengthening scientific capability. His focus on translational genomics and strengthening seed system in developing countries for the improvement of agriculture has made a tangible impact on farmers' lives. His skills have been best utilized in roles at leading research centres where he has applied his expertise to deliver a new vision for crop improvement. These efforts have now been recognized by the Royal Society with the award of the Fellowship (FRS). As we mark this significant milestone in his career, we not only celebrate Professor Varshney's accomplishments but also his wider contributions that continue to transform the agriculturallandscape.

Voices of Identity: Exploring Identity Development and Transformation Among Urban American Indian/Alaska Native Emerging Adults

ABSTRACT Emerging adulthood shapes personal, professional, and overall well-being through identity exploration. This study addresses a gap in the minority identity literature by investigating how urban AI/AN emerging adults think about their identity and discussing challenges and protective factors associated with exploring their identity holistically. This mixed-methods study created a sampling framework based on discrimination experiences, cultural identity, social network support, mental health, and problematic substance use. We recruited 20 urban AI/AN emerging adults for interviews. We sought to gain deeper insights into their experiences and discussions surrounding identity formation and exploration. We provide descriptives for demographic characteristics and conducted a thematic analysis of the qualitative data from the interviews. Four themes emerged: a) being an urban AI/AN emerging adult means recognizing that one’s identity is multifaceted; b) a multifaceted identity comes with tension of living in multiple worlds; c) the trajectory of one’s identity grows over time to a deeper desire to connect with Native American culture; and d) understanding one’s Native American background affects one’s professional trajectory. Findings underscore the importance of developing programs to support well-being and identity development through cultural connection for urban AI/AN emerging adults.

Echoes of research and training with biographical narratives: ways of knowing and understanding from lived experience

This article aims to present the formative results obtained through the research-action-training device “Biographical workshop: learning about life and profession” (BW), proposed and implemented as a university extension activity in a higher education institution in Northeastern Brazil. Inspired by the epistemological and methodological bases of biographically oriented approaches in Education, the device was built with the intention of promoting, through biographical narrative, a reflective exercise both individual and collective focused on the exploration and reconstitution of personal and professional trajectories of the participants. The analyses produced from the narratives in its scope allow us to understand the different elements that give body and meaning to the trajectory of the participants in the course of their academic and professional training. Moreover, it was possible to apprehend the formative process inscribed in the mobilization of the narrative records, oral and written, and its effects for the participants. We conclude that BW is a powerful research-action-training device in that it articulates and values both the subject and the professional who is formed through lived experiences, integrating the spheres of life for an implicated, reflective and conscious professional action.