Wharton On Career Management: Getting In, Getting Ahead, And Getting Out - Gracefully

A generation ago, employees never had to worry much about managing their careers; their companies did it for them. As anyone knows who has been in the workforce for the last decade, times have changed. Companies don't hesitate to announce massive layoffs; managers don't think twice about changing jobs every few years, seeking out the mentors and training they need to move on; and, in many cases, companies are simply choosing not to invest significant time or resources in employees who no longer feel much loyalty to the organization. While that's the general picture, it gets more complicated depending on what skills employees have, what industry they work in, whether they are men or women, management fast-trackers or dedicated plodders, baby boomers heading for retirement or Gen-Xers.