Career competencies for academic career progression: Experiences of academics at a South African university

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Date

2022

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Frontiers Media

Abstract

An understanding of career competencies is critical for the progression of academic careers, as it influences the availability of adequate and capable academic staff at all levels within universities. The study aimed to explore and describe the career competencies that academics demonstrate to successfully progress in their careers, while theoretically underpinned by an integrated competency framework. This report is based on the qualitative experiences, gathered through semi-structured interviews of eight academic staff in various career phases, in a South African university. Data was thematically analysed, while a deductive modality was adopted to identify the competencies. The findings align very closely with the dimensions of the integrated competency framework, including reflective competencies: gap analysis, self-evaluation, social comparison, and goal orientation; communicative competencies: information seeking and negotiation; and behavioural competencies: strategy alignment, control and agency, university awareness, continuous learning and collaboration.

Description

Keywords

Career management, Career competencies, Academic career, Higher education, South Africa

Citation

Barnes, N., & du Plessis, M. (2022). Career competencies for academic career progression: Experiences of academics at a South African university. Frontiers in Education, 7, 814842.10.3389/feduc.2022.814842