A qualitative investigation into the relationship between the early career expectations, and experiences, of graduate engineers in a South African utility organisation

Riordan, Sarah

A qualitative investigation into the relationship between the early career expectations, and experiences, of graduate engineers in a South African utility organisation

Master Thesis

2001

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Organisational Psychology

Faculty

Faculty of Commerce

Abstract

This research examines the relationship between the work expectations, and experiences, of graduate engineers during their early career period. The theories of organisational socialisation, reality shock and work adjustment define the context in which this research is located. Qualitative data were obtained through in-depth interviews with sixteen subjects with less than five years work experience, employed in a utility organisation in the Western Cape. Results indicate that subjects experience significant incongruence between their expectations of work and work experiences. Through a process of qualitative data analysis three major themes were identified where incongruence was experienced, namely, content of work, context of work and general career issues. The results are interpreted and discussed in light of existing research in the field of Organisational Psychology

Description

Inlcudes bibliographical references.

Keywords

Organisational Psychology

Reference:

Collections

Masters

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