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CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Navigating mayhem Discovering how oral hygiene professionals have managed their time and career development through the pandemic By Melanie Hayes
THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC has initiated all sorts of unprecedented and unusual challenges for society – social distancing, mask wearing, lockdowns, home schooling and toilet paper shortages just to name a few! It is therefore reasonable to expect that there will be a knock-on effect on an individual’s career development. For many dental professionals the impact on their work-life has been immediate, with reduced or flexible hours, new requirements to work remotely online, or periods of leave or even job loss due to the shutdown of clinics and other workplaces. For some of us working outside of a clinical setting, for instance, in academia, management, or policy, workload have increased significantly pushing employees to their capacity. These immediate effects may also impact on job satisfaction, commitment, and attitudes to work. (Spurk & Straub, 2020). Disruptive and extraordinary events
such as global pandemics, have the ability to create “career shock” for individuals and organisations (Hite & McDonald, 2020). Organisations have had to be flexible and adapt the work environment, while potentially under financial strain. As individuals, we may reconsider our career choices, especially if job loss is experienced, or work roles significantly change. As the boundaries
might otherwise have not presented themselves. This edition, I asked a few of our oral health community to share with us how the pandemic has impacted their work life and careers. As you can see, while most have recognised the challenges and struggles faced working during the pandemic, they have also identified opportunities to improve or refocus
“ As we navigate the pandemic and consider what our postpandemic work life might look like, what is clear is that change is inevitable. With change can come opportunities that might otherwise have not presented themselves” between our work and non-work lives begin to blur, many may re-evaluate the priority they place on work. As we navigate the pandemic and consider what our post-pandemic work life might look like, what is clear is that change is inevitable. With change can come opportunities that
their work tasks and priorities, which will hopefully have a positive impact on their careers in the years to come. I hope some of their insights resonate with you, or alternatively, that they give you a fresh perspective as you try and navigate your own career through this pandemic.
