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