Equifinality in Career Pathways

A Journey from Classroom to Academia

Authors

  • Joyce Exusper Nemes Senior Lecturer at the Department of Educational Management and Policy Studies, College of Education, at the University of Dodoma, Tanzania https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6843-4751

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26034/fr.jehe.2024.6865

Keywords:

Equifinality, autobiographic self-understanding, work ethics, career transition, primary teaching vs. higher education teaching experiences

Abstract

There are diverse pathways to becoming an academic, yet personal histories of successful academics who have taken non-traditional routes often remain undocumented. This qualitative and autobiographical study is guided by the theories of equifinality and career construction (von Bertalanffy, 1968; Toya, 2020; Savickas, 2005), aiming at filling this gap by documenting a personal journey from classroom teaching to academia. The study findings reveal that career pathways are marked by significant milestones, challenges and strategic decision-making processes that shape the career trajectory.
The results underscore the validity of equifinality in academic career development and active role individuals play in constructing their career narratives. It is recommended that institutions and policymakers in higher learning institutions should recognize and value non-traditional career paths as valuable assets within individuals’ career development.

Author Biography

Joyce Exusper Nemes, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Educational Management and Policy Studies, College of Education, at the University of Dodoma, Tanzania

Dr Joyce Nemes holds a Certificate & Diploma in Education (Tabora Teachers College), BED Arts & MEMA (UDSM), PhD (UDOM), PGD in Leadership (Uongozi Institute & Aalto University Finland), PGD in Law (OUT), Certificate of Competence in Corporate Governance (ESAMI), Certificate of Completion Female Feature Tanzania Programme (ATE), and is a Certified Director (IoDT). She works as a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Educational Management and Policy Studies, College of Education, at the University of Dodoma, Tanzania.

Email: joyce.nemes@udom.ac.tz

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Published

2024-12-30

How to Cite

Nemes, J. E. (2024). Equifinality in Career Pathways: A Journey from Classroom to Academia. Journal of Ethics in Higher Education, (5), 103–120. https://doi.org/10.26034/fr.jehe.2024.6865

Issue

No. 5 (2024): Ethics in Open and Distance Education

Section

Thematic Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Joyce Exusper Nemes

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