Personal Ramifications of a Dysfunctional Congress: Career Strategies in Uncertain Times Neal J. Couture, CPCM, CAE Director of Government Procurement Law and Business Programs The George Washington University

From 2014 to 2021, the sequester will cut $87 to $92 billion from the discretionary budget every year, and $109 billion total.

Source: Gallup © 2013

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How do you define “career”? an occupation or a profession that usually involves special training or formal education a sequence of related jobs usually pursued within a single industry or sector characterized as stable, big business centric, organizational needs psychological employment contract: you will employ me as long as I do a good job, I will stay here as long as you pay me what I am worth.

What changed…. The violation of the traditional psychological employment contract. Dismantling of traditional career ladders. Tom Peters and “stick to the knitting”. Outsourcing, integrated supply chain. Global competition, need to be nimble.

New career theories…. Physical and psychological mobility. Independence from organizational control. The career actor

Protean career theory … versatile, mutable, capable of assuming many forms connotes flexibility, versatility and adaptability Proteus

“The protean career is driven by the person, not the organization, based on individually defined goals, encompassing the whole life space, and being driven by psychological success rather than objective measures of success such as pay, rank, or power.” Briscoe and Hall, 2002

A contract with oneself…. Values driven: personal values provide the guidance and measure for success for the individual’s career Self-directed: active self-management, able to adapt to performance and leaning demands

Boundaryless careers “Boundaryless careers are the opposite of organizational careers – careers that unfold in a single employment setting.” Arthur & Rousseau, 1996

Boundary crossing career actors…. 1. Move across boundaries of separate employers. 2. Draw validation and marketability from outside the present employer. 3. Sustained by external networks or information. 4. Break traditional organizational assumptions of hierarchy and career advancement. 5. May involve rejecting existing career opportunities for personal or family reasons. 6. Based on interpretation of the ‘career actor’, who perceives a boundaryless future regardless of structural constraints.

Seven Career Strategies 1. Know yourself. 2. Set and respect personal boundaries. 3. Plan continuously. 4. Know who. 5. Learn continuously. 6. Build career capital. 7. Proact and adapt.

1. Know Yourself. What are your values? What satisfies you? What worries you? What is most important in your life? What do you want to achieve? What do you want to experience? Key skills Reflection Introspection Tools urces.com/ /tut/time/workinv.html

2. Set and respect personal boundaries. Work-life balance What will you compromise? What won’t you compromise? Key skills Communication Decision-making Conflict management Time management Tools LIFEMASTERY BUILDER®

3. Plan continuously. Where do you want to go? When do you want to get there? How do you want to get there? What could go wrong? What are your options? Key skills Research Planning Prioritizing Risk management Tools m/life-plan

4. Know who. Who have you connected with before? Who has helped you? Who have you helped? Who can help you in the future? Key skills Networking Communication Tools LinkedIn Facebook NCMA Alumni associations

5. Learn continuously. What knowledge and skills can you build on? What do you need for your next adaptation? What interests you that may be useful later? Key skills Learning

6. Build career capital. What would look good to future employers? What credentials are relevant? Is your resume always ready? Do you stay connected to your references? Key skills Organization Writing/authoring Public speaking Volunteering Affiliating

7. Proact and adapt. what is happening around you… employer, industry, city, world? What opportunities would fit your plan? What needs changed to achieve your goals? What are you waiting for? Key skills Visioning Leadership Change management

Neal J. Couture, CPCM, CAE Director, Government Procurement Law and Business Programs The George Washington University Law School 2000 H Street, N.W., Washington, DC (fax) (mobile)