Thomas M. Schneidhofer

The lay of the land: European career research and its future

Over the past two decades, career research in Europe has developed into a dynamic discourse of its own. However, few if any considerations deal with its future development. Against the backdrop of the unique European context consisting of specific European macro-themes, its methodological heritage and the current research landscape, this conceptual paper outlines core dimensions of a future agenda for European career research. They include units of analysis with varying degree of social complexity, the underlying scientific concern, thematic foci stemming from the European situation, and the role of time. This devises a ‘research space’ providing orientation for future career research in Europe. Concluding, the article touches on contributions of the European career discourse to its global counterpart.

Mind the (Gender) Gap. Gender, Gender Role Types, and Their Effects on Objective Career Success over Time**

Drawing on ideas by Pierre Bourdieu, this paper analyzes the effects of gender and gender role type (GRT) for objective career success (i.e., income) over time. Empirically, data from two cohorts of business school graduates were analyzed with mixed linear models. Gender and GRT, both perceived as career capital, progressively affect objective career success over time, with feminine GRT hampering objective career success for both sexes. Remaining results vary between the two cohorts: findings for the younger cohort deviate more strongly from the hypotheses derived.

Relational career capital: towards a sustainable perspective

Our chapter advocates a relational understanding of career capital and proposes that playing with it may only be considered as sustainable if: (a) the investments are viable; (b) the strategy is long-term; and (c) both are based on a holistic foundation. We discuss a Bourdieuian-inspired concept of career capital that puts more emphasis on the complex relationship between the social structure and individual agency than traditional views of career capital. Taking empirical examples from transitions of business school graduates within and across several career fields, it shows that the value of various forms of capital is contingent on the rules of the respective field. Sustainability in the acquisition, accumulation and conversion of career capital is ensured if: (a) investments fit to a field and enable agency that realizes the inherent potential but does not overstretch individual, organizational or societal resources; (b) the career strategy focuses on a broader time horizon than the present one; and (c) other relevant fields (as, for example, the domestic) are included, which combines perceptual, cognitive and emotional facets.

Karriereforschung: Konzeptioneller Rahmen, zentrale Diskurse und neue Forschungsfelder

Auf Basis eines konzeptionellen Rahmens – dem „Social Chronology Framework (SCF)“ (Gunz und Mayrhofer 2015) – bietet der vorliegende Beitrag einen Uberblick zur Karriereforschung. Nach ausfuhrlicher Herleitung des Begriffs werden Hauptstrange der Karriereforschung vorgestellt und anhand eines Beispiels illustriert, typische blinde Flecken herausgearbeitet und neue Ansatze und Methoden vorgestellt, die diese adressieren.