Career Maturity of the Macedonian Workforce

Abstract

This research paper is based upon the widely accepted definition of the career as a progress and actions taken by a person throughout a lifetime, especially those related to that person's occupations. The objective dimension of the career understands a combination and sequence of roles played by a person during the course of a lifetime, while the subjective dimension imply certain change of the values, attitudes and motives which occur in the work life of the individual. The questions about the career and the career development are equally important both for the individuals and as well for the nation. The individual’s career is a result of the interaction between the external and internal factors. From the external factors’ view point; especially if we bear in mind how the globalization affects the individuals in all of the life spheres, we are interested about its influence over the career aspirations. The high rate of unemployment and the development of the new technologies are also considered as significant factors. From the internal factors’ view point; the subject of interest are the personal career goals and the self-actualization path of the individuals. Therefore the paper is focused at the individual in the world of work, through analysis of the main attitudes toward the career development. The results of this kind of research can be useful for the creators of the national policies for the employed and unemployed workforce, but also for the organizations, career centers and the individuals.