As fresh graduates, we are entering the workforce in a few months. It’s the milestone of another stage as well as a big change and challenge in our life. Do you all prepare well for the new challenge?
Due to the economic change, the economies of the world are switching from agriculture to manufacturing and now to service. It is a knowledge-based information economy now and we face “new work order”.
Firstly, most of the new work is “knowledge work” and employees are no longer only requiring physical work. According to Gee, James and Colin, people need integrated knowledge which is made up of both highly technical components and components dealing with communication, motivation and social interaction. “Knowledge work” requires high order problem solving skill, excellent communication skill, critical thinking skill and flexibility etc. We face greater global competition for jobs as some people work overseas or the business is outsourced to other countries.
Secondly, workers will be distributed and work in virtual teams. Workers belonging to the same company are distributed all over the world, and work with people based in different locations. The idea that working with people that they may never meet or on other countries is called “virtual teams”. Business process outsourcing (BPO) is very common nowadays. Many services like call centers and back office are now outsourced to developing countries to lower the cost. Employees of these industries are distributed and work with co-workers in outsourced countries. The idea of collaboration is changing.
Thirdly, work will not just happen in the “workplace”. People no longer only work in traditional workplaces such like office. They can work at home, street or even everywhere. Work is no longer restricted to the places with the use of technology. We can work freely without the supervision of the supervisors and have less pressure.
Fourthly, workplace hierarchies will become flatter. In the past, the management structure is rigid. Subordinates are managed by management and bosses. But the hierarchy is flattening now and we can work together with leaders and partners. It is more self-managing and independent rather than formal management given by bosses. The power relation between employers and employees are changing. Employees are now having more power over their work. Industries such as insurance, finance and retail are examples of flatten management.
Finally, “nomadic” workers emerge. Workers are not aim at life long employment because many companies use contract and freelance employment. Employees can work for different companies at the same time and do not have to stay at one company for many years. Both employers and employees can benefit from this. For the employers, the companies can easily find out what kinds of employees are not suitable for them and hire someone else next time. For the employees, they are not required to stay at the same company for a long time and can try different types of work. However, the “nomadic” workers need to adapt quickly and reinvent themselves frequently to respond to changing conditions.
“New work order” have effects on power relations, collaboration, management structures of workplace. As a fresh graduate, how do you going to adapt these changes?
As you have mentioned, we can work freely without the supervision of our supervisors and have less pressure. To be honest, I think most of the people don't have this self-control without the supervision of their supervisors. How do you think we can improve this situtation?
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I have not been well prepared for adapting these changes yet. Although I may not have as much academic knowledge as other graduates, I always remember two crucial things. The first one is I have to be self-dicipline no matter working under whatever environments. The second thing is I will make use of my "strong weak ties"!! haha!!!
ReplyDeleteClaire, do you think the BAEP programme preparing us for those basic job requirements nowadays?and how will you make use of your "strong weak ties" in finding job?
ReplyDeleteGeran, you asked a very difficult question. Actually, I think self-management is affected by many factors such as physical environment, noise and motivation etc. Interest on the job is very important as well. People will have more self-control if they are more interested in their jobs.
ReplyDeleteI think I can't work at home since I will be easily distracted by different things nearby. I need a working environment so that I can motivate myself more and behave more appropriately. How about you, do you prefer to work at home or at office?
ReplyDeleteI agree that working at home would have less stress than working at office. Not only because there are no supervisions at home, but also because we can take care of other home stuff by our multitasking ability. Then, we can worry less about our family.
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