Associate Director
Asia Pacific Research Center
1. Mobility of the work force
During my three years at A/PARC, eight out of nine staff left the center. This was quite shocking to me. I was so used to working for an organization where there is very little turnover. Though the expectation was diminishing, lift-time employment (or commitment) was still holding strong, at least in the bank where I worked. Career path was designed based on the assumption that you will be working for the organization for most of your professional life.
This system is sustained by the existence of a powerful, central Human Resource department (HR), which is responsible for the rotation of personnel within (or sometimes outside of) an organization. HR will facilitate organized turnover in each departments so an employee will not stay at the same position for extended period of time. Employees will be transferred to different departments and there will be successors to all positions vacated.
I only have the experience with Stanford University and first hand information of the company that my husband works for. But HR departments of these two organizations are nothing like that of Japanese organization. In neither organizations, HR has the authority and power to facilitate cross-departmental move of their employees. It is up to each employee to decide and choose his/her career path.
I wouldn't go into the details of pros and cons of these two different systems. I would just note that they are different and that I am constantly facing a challenge as a supervisor to secure and retain good talent of the team at a place where you can't promise an upward promotion.
2. Career path in a non-profit sector
It is amazing to see the depth of NPO/NGO sector in the U.S. There are hundreds of organizations that cater to diversified needs of the society. On the one hand there are organizations that are involved in world wide policy issues and on the other hand there are local organizations supporting the needs of the local community.
This sector provides wide range of job opportunites. You can start your career in the sector at an entrance level position and work yourself up. If you have an advanced degree (there are degrees such as Masters for Public Administrations), you may begin your career at a senior, managerial level position. Some people will also specialize in development (fund raising) or become a program officer.
The existence of such diversified career paths in NGO/NPO sector provides depth to the job market in the U.S. Stanford University is a good example. It is one of the largest employers in the Silicon Valley. There are variety of jobs in the fields of administration, communication, development, finance, HR, IT, food services, legal, etc.
When I first started to look for a job in the bay area, I wasn't sure whether I should pursue a career in business or try to find something that is more public (the fact I had worked for a financial institution established for public cause made matters complicated.) I never imagined there would be such a rich opportunity in University management. Now I am more certain about my choice.
3. "Worklife"When I applied to my current position, I was six month pregnant. Even though I had the advantage of working at the center for couple of months, I was surprised to be offered the position over other candidates. This is the benefit of working at University. It is an ideal place to work if you have a family and want a balanced life between work and family. There is an office called "Worklife" which provides services such as: child care resource and referral, care Resources and information, emergency and backup childcare program, parent education and consultation, elder care and caregiving support. There are six children's program on campus. People in the office, including the faculty members are usually flexible and generous to meet the need of staff with children and family. It is no wonder that there great number of female staff working at the University (looking just at IIS, majority of the staff is women. A/PARC staff is all women!) It would be much more difficult in a private sector to achieve such balance. And yet going back to the second point above, working in University is not necessary a set back of your career. It is just a different choice you make. I won't be a jet-setter but who can complain having an office on a beautiful campus and be five minutes away from your child?
