Childhood InfluencesChildhood InfluencesSteph Beito-ZiemerSteph Beito-Ziemer

Then and NowThen and Now

Past: One career, many jobsPresent: Seven to eight

careers

Past: One career, many jobsPresent: Seven to eight

careers

Experts’ PerspectiveExperts’ Perspective

“We know relatively little about how children learn about and prepare for work. …it is imperative to gain a better understanding of the childhood career development process to better prepare children for their future.”(Schultheiss & Stead, 2004)

“We know relatively little about how children learn about and prepare for work. …it is imperative to gain a better understanding of the childhood career development process to better prepare children for their future.”(Schultheiss & Stead, 2004)

What I Wanted to KnowWhat I Wanted to Know

Is there a relationship between childhood influences and business communicators’

career choice?

Is there a relationship between childhood influences and business communicators’

career choice?

Approach I UsedApproach I Used

Prepared paper-based survey; 22 questions Mailed survey, cover letter; offered incentive Administered via U.S. mail to:

- 425 International Association of Business Communicators, MN Chapter,

members- 225 Minnesota Health Strategy and

Communication Network members

Prepared paper-based survey; 22 questions Mailed survey, cover letter; offered incentive Administered via U.S. mail to:

- 425 International Association of Business Communicators, MN Chapter,

members- 225 Minnesota Health Strategy and

Communication Network members

ResultsResults

Received high response: 417 (64%)

More than 97% currently work in business communications

78% female, 22% male

Received high response: 417 (64%)

More than 97% currently work in business communications

78% female, 22% male

LeadershipLeadership

Now: Prepared for leadership roles in work assignments?

Childhood: Which activities helped develop leadership skills?

More than 68% of those prepared for leadership roles now indicate childhood volunteer activities helped develop their leadership skills.

Now: Prepared for leadership roles in work assignments?

Childhood: Which activities helped develop leadership skills?

More than 68% of those prepared for leadership roles now indicate childhood volunteer activities helped develop their leadership skills.

TeamworkTeamwork

Now: Teamwork is critical for success?

Childhood: Which activities helped develop teamwork skills?

More than 93% of those who believe teamwork is critical indicate childhood team sports helped develop their teamwork skills.

Now: Teamwork is critical for success?

Childhood: Which activities helped develop teamwork skills?

More than 93% of those who believe teamwork is critical indicate childhood team sports helped develop their teamwork skills.

Communication SkillsCommunication Skills

Now: Communication skills are essential?

Childhood: Which activities helped develop communication skills?

More than 81% of those who believe communication skills are essential now indicate childhood volunteer activities helped develop their communication skills.

Now: Communication skills are essential?

Childhood: Which activities helped develop communication skills?

More than 81% of those who believe communication skills are essential now indicate childhood volunteer activities helped develop their communication skills.

ConfidenceConfidence

Now: Confident in ability to perform tasks?

Childhood: Which activities helped develop confidence?

More than 87% of those who are confident now indicate childhood individual sports helped develop their confidence.

Now: Confident in ability to perform tasks?

Childhood: Which activities helped develop confidence?

More than 87% of those who are confident now indicate childhood individual sports helped develop their confidence.

Self-EsteemSelf-Esteem

Now: Have high self-esteem contributing to quality work?

Childhood: Which activities helped develop self-esteem?

More than 80% of those who now have high self-esteem indicate childhood individual sports helped develop their self-esteem.

Now: Have high self-esteem contributing to quality work?

Childhood: Which activities helped develop self-esteem?

More than 80% of those who now have high self-esteem indicate childhood individual sports helped develop their self-esteem.

Other ResultsOther Results

Parents’ career choice has little impactimpact

- 78% didn’t consider entering parents’ - 78% didn’t consider entering parents’

career as a childcareer as a child

- Of those that did consider, just 4%- Of those that did consider, just 4%

actually did so as an adultactually did so as an adultTeachers have the most influence

during childhood regarding career decisions.

Parents’ career choice has little impactimpact

- 78% didn’t consider entering parents’ - 78% didn’t consider entering parents’

career as a childcareer as a child

- Of those that did consider, just 4%- Of those that did consider, just 4%

actually did so as an adultactually did so as an adultTeachers have the most influence

during childhood regarding career decisions.

Other ResultsOther Results

The school subject, English, is The school subject, English, is important - 40% indicate English was favorite

elementary school subject- 80% indicate English is most closely

related to their current career- 41% indicated both of the above

The school subject, English, is The school subject, English, is important - 40% indicate English was favorite

elementary school subject- 80% indicate English is most closely

related to their current career- 41% indicated both of the above

What Does It Mean?What Does It Mean?

Is there a relationship between childhood influences and business communicators’

career choice?

YES!YES!

Is there a relationship between childhood influences and business communicators’

career choice?

YES!YES!

RecommendationsRecommendations

UniversitiesProfessional Membership

OrganizationsElementary School Teachers Individuals

UniversitiesProfessional Membership

OrganizationsElementary School Teachers Individuals

Questions?Questions?