| The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological hermeneutic study was to understand career success experiences of entry-level call center workers in a depressed economy in the greater Phoenix, Arizona area. Protean, boundaryless, and traditional career success models dominated the field literature but offered little research into career success during depressed economies. In addition to scant research, employees behaved differently during depressed economies, and typical career success metrics of pay and promotion were not always attainable. Career success of employees directly affected employer profitability; therefore, employers had a stake in understanding how employees experience career success. The present study found that participants discussed eight essential themes while discussing career success in a depressed economy: supportive environment, personal strength, self-betterment, meeting of physical needs, refuge, enjoying life, human connectedness, and reassurance. In addition, the present study confirmed the presence of traditional, protean, and boundaryless career successes during the depressed economy. It is then recommended that during depressed economies employers give greater schedule flexibility to employees, allow more employee peer mentoring, and train and staff empathetic and supportive managers. |
