A STUDY ON THE METAPHORES PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS THE CAREER PERCEPTIONS OF THE X, Y AND Z GENERATIONS

Abstract

1.1.   RESEARCH SUBJECT                          

In the first part of this study, the concept of generation, X, Y and Z generations, career concept, career perception and the concept of metaphor are tried to be explained. The data collection tool prepared by the researchers using the grouping called the four seasons metaphor was delivered to the people who met the study criteria and were asked to fill it. The collected data were analyzed and evaluated using the content analysis method. In the research, it is aimed to create a sample for three generations. The data collection tool was shared with an equal number of people from the X, Y and Z generations, and they were expected to be filled. Sixty people from each generation group contributed to the research by filling out the relevant data collection tool. The data collected from the sample groups living in the Çankaya district of Ankara province are expressed numerically with percentages. "Career for me…. Because ……… .." the sentences written after "because" in the measurement sentence were read and interpreted one by one by the researchers.

1.2.   RESEARCH PURPOSE AND IMPORTANCE  

The aim of the study was to observe how generational differences affect career perceptions by measuring the career perceptions of generations X, Y and Z within the framework of the four-season metaphor. To observe how the generations to which the participants belong revealed differences in their evaluation and perception of the concept of career, one of the four seasons metaphor were asked to be selected, and the reason for their preferences was expected to be explained. Thus, the reasons in the preferences of the participants of different generations were tried to be determined by the explanations made and different perspectives reflected in the preferences of the period were tried to be revealed.

1.3.   CONTRIBUTION of the ARTICLE to the LITERATURE    

In this study, career perceptions of 3 consecutive generations were measured with metaphor perspectives. Although there have been many studies on the x and y generations before, there are not many studies on the z generation.  Thus, a perception emerged about the career perceptions of the generation z, who have just entered or will enter the business life.

1. DESIGN AND METHOD

2.1.   RESEARCH TYPE   

This study is a research article                             

2.2.   RESEARCH PROBLEMS                                                          

In the study, only the career perceptions of the X, Y and Z generations were tried to be measured, and the points where they differ from each other were determined. Asking them to liken the career to one of the four seasons given and then to explain why they liken it to this season provided the required information to make comparisons.

2.3.   DATA COLLECTION METHOD                                               

Since the aim of the study was to try to measure the career perceptions of generations X, Y and Z within the framework of the four seasons metaphor, the data collection tool was used on different people in three generations. The research was applied to people living in the Çankaya district of Ankara province. Different characteristics such as personal characteristics, gender, profession, education status, employment status or title of persons other than their date of birth were accepted as fixed and were not requested in order not to receive extra personal data. By giving brief information about the data collection tool distributed to 30 people from each generation, it is aimed that the people who will participate in the study will contribute without being affected.

2.4.   QUANTITATIVE / QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS       

The content analysis method was used when analyzing the data. In this method, the first goal is to reach the relevant concepts and the relationships of these concepts with research. Because the researcher in the study gave metaphors, content analysis was used at the point of which metaphor was preferred and why. Domestically, people from generations X, Y and Z who participated in the research expressed why they chose the relevant metaphor and examined taking into account the sentences they used to express or the words they preferred.

2.5.   RESEARCH MODEL                                                     

A phenomenological method was preferred in this study, which is one of the types of qualitative research. This method does not allow you to use it is one of the preferred methods for researching topics that have an idea about but are not in-depth knowledge. Phenomenology investigates the experiences that people have alone or together, how they place or shape them in their minds, that is, how they perceive phenomena, in what form they express them, what kind of assessments is a filter and the way they convey them.

2.6.   RESEARCH HYPOTHESES                                                     

Career perceptions of generations x, Y and Z are different from each other.

1. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

3.1.   FINDINGS as a RESULT of ANALYSIS                      

Generation X participants answered with the impact of the harsh environments in which their generations grew up and the necessity of their efforts. 80% compared it to the spring season, and 20% said winter. The predominant answer in Generation Y was spring with 70% and summer with 30%. However, it has been observed that there are causal or underlying differences between the two. In summary, they defined their career path with a volatile perception, intertwined with difficulties and beauty, and requires time and patience.

Generation Z has turned each season into a metaphor by creating a different graphic than these two generations. That shows that Generation Z has higher individual perceptions, unlike the other two generations. The effect of technology to reach fast information is very useful in Generation Z. They do not hesitate to dream.

3.2.   HYPOTHESIS TEST RESULTS                                                     

As a result of the studies on the hypothesis, it has been observed that each generation member has different perceptions.

3.3.   DISCUSSING the FINDINGS with the LITERATURE        

The country where individuals were born and lived, the environment and family in which they grew up, economic and social structures, job opportunities, career paths, and education are all critical factors that will affect career perceptions. At this point, people should always try to see broader perspectives, and they should create their career plans not only by considering the conditions they are in but also by considering the opportunities that may exist around them. A positive career perception will positively affect the individual's career plan for the future. Being a member of a generation does not depend on the preference of individuals. For this reason, it cannot be said that we willingly and consciously accept every feature imposed by generations. Therefore, it is crucial to raise awareness of dynamics that are automatically loaded. A person who is aware of his / her dynamics can become a person who knows how to know himself and how to direct his / her career.

1. CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATION AND LIMITATIONS

4.1.   RESULTS of the ARTICLE                                                   

As a result, despite the metaphor limitation of the career perceptions of Generations X, Y and Z, differences can be observed. These differences occur actually when explaining the reason for the metaphorical analogy. It has been observed that people of the same generation define career with similar justifications or similar means, even if they choose different metaphors from each other. Again, it has been observed that people of different generations define career with the same metaphors, but at the time of identification, they are based on other characteristics of seasonal metaphors. During the research, the indecision or different attitudes experienced by the participants when determining metaphors also reveal generational differences. Thanks to non-stop changes and developments, it is predicted that new generations and perceptions are pregnant with all kinds of differences.

4.2.   SUGGESTIONS BASED on RESULTS                                

 In order to obtain a more detailed result, it may be recommended that generations have experienced business life or evaluated within themselves in new research on the subject.

4.3.   LIMITATIONS of the ARTICLE                                                  

There is a limitation on the metaphor by which individuals in generation X, Y and Z can express their career perceptions. People who were asked to evaluate through the four-season metaphor were asked to choose from a limited number of metaphors in order to analyze their metaphorical assessments on the same correct

The study aimed to observe how generational differences affect career perceptions by measuring the career perceptions of generations X, Y and Z within the framework of the four-season metaphor. To observe how the generations to which the participants belong revealed differences in their evaluation and perception of the concept of career, one of the four seasons metaphor were asked to be selected, and the reason for their preferences was expected to be explained. Thus, the reasons in the preferences of the participants of different generations were tried to be determined by the explanations made and different perspectives reflected in the preferences of the period were tried to be revealed.

The universe of the research is made up of individuals living in Cankaya district of Ankara province. In this study, which was prepared by targeting generations X, Y and Z, a sample focused on birth years was established. Each participant selected for the purpose of the research is expected to belong to a generation that is the subject of the research. Therefore, when selecting the geographical region where the research was conducted, the large number and diversity of people that could only be reached were taken into account. In this direction, "easy sampling method" was used from the purpose sampling methods in the research. It was aimed to participate in the study of an equal number of participants from each generation, and although it was the possibility to get support from a wider audience, it was limited to 180 people so that the workspace would not be too scattered. Sixty random participants were selected from each generation.

There is a limitation on the metaphor by which individuals in generation X, Y and Z can express their career perceptions. People who were asked to evaluate through the four-season metaphor were asked to choose from a limited number of metaphors in order to analyze their metaphorical assessments on the same correct. The content analysis method was used when analyzing the data. In this method, the first goal is to reach the relevant concepts and the relationships of these concepts with research. Because metaphors were given by the researcher in the study, content analysis was used at the point of which metaphor was preferred and why. Domestically, people from generations X, Y and Z who participated in the research expressed why they chose the relevant metaphor and examined taking into account the sentences they used to express or the words they preferred.

As a result, despite the metaphor limitation of the career perceptions of Generations X, Y and Z, differences can be observed. These differences occur mainly when explaining the reason for the metaphorical analogy. It has been observed that people of the same generation define career with similar justifications or similar means, even if they choose different metaphors from each other. Again, it has been observed that people of different generations define career with the same metaphors, but at the time of identification, they are based on other characteristics of seasonal metaphors. During the research, the indecision or different attitudes experienced by the participants when determining metaphors also reveal generational differences. Thanks to non-stop changes and developments, it is predicted that new generations and perceptions are pregnant with all kinds of differences.

 In order to obtain a more detailed result, it may be recommended that generations have experienced business life or evaluated within themselves in new research on the subject.