The global health crisis of COVID19 has disrupted life as we know it, even in Australia with our relatively successful efforts to stem the spread of the virus. It is as the UN points out “much more than a health crisis. It is a human, economic and social crisis”.
For those of us already interested in the relationship between people, work and life roles the COVID19 pandemic has shone more light on the context of people’s careers, the influencing factors, and the need for a social justice lens.
In 2018 I undertook a Churchill Fellowship with the aim of improving the career development of the partners of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel. How the world has changed in just 2 years.
Our careers don’t take place in isolation – they take place within the context of the multiple overlapping, dynamic systems in which we operate. Our options, understanding and decision-making are heavily dependent on context. COVID19 has changed the context in which the career development of ADF partners takes place and it has also shone a spotlight on many of the factors already identified as areas of concern and opportunity for ADF partner careers.
Understanding how COVID19 is affecting society is crucial to informing ADF partner career services and policies, and for identifying the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Read the blog series by clicking on the links below:
Part Two: career development and career management
Part Three: flexible and remote work