I have this theory about career.
There are basically three identifiable career tracks, and everyone loosely falls into one of the three.

1. General Track
This where most people generally fall into: Get a job, any available one in a reasonably okay organization, work hard, try to climb up the ladder to the best of your abilty, and hope for the best.
This one is usually limited by the organization(s). In some places depending on your job and allied factors, there might be a limit to how high you can climb, or if you can at all. In fact, this track doesn't really pay again these days, and most people look down on it, even though that is where most guys end up anyhow.
The long and short of this one is that it leads a lot of people into corruption eventually.

2. Fast Track
The fast track is the assisted track, where the golden boy/girl is appointed by some big boys/girls, and he/she flies to the top position in record time, irrespective of what he or she is able to actually do. In fact, if you're on this track, whatever you say is the way is the way. Nothing else matters. You just can't go wrong.
The issue with this one is that people get burned by politics of the environment. Once your mentor is taken out, it must surely cascade to you. But they usually bounce back, because the Fast Trackers usually have a lot of solid backing.

3. Personal Track
This is the proverbial 'track of the brave'. These are the people who take their career literally into their own hands. They set their own career goals, and what they want to achieve in any organization. They are not scared to move on when they feel that the environment has given them what it has to offer.
The downside is, they usually suffer a lot in their personal life, due to some tough choices they have to make in order to pursue their personal ambition. It is also not a path for the faint-hearted.

Where would you say your career track is right now?

True talk, Seun. The Personal Track is entrepreneural in bias, regardless of whether they're working in an organization or not.
Surprisingly, I find that it's mostly the guys on the General Track that are corrupt in companies, as opposed to the Personal Track.

I think the aspect of corruption is linked more aptly to living or wanting to live above your means. There's no reason why you cannot be satisfied and make a decent living on a 'general path'. The desire to 'be like others' generally leads to corruption in my view.

I would say I'm sort of on the general track, though with some influence of the fast track as well. I am by personality not very oriented towards the personal track, but I will take decisions occasionally that will have a similar effect in furthering my personal aspirations.

I tend to hold a more holistic view of life - career being only an aspect of it. In that regard, ultimate success for me would not involve maximizing personal ambition but doing as much as I can in that area while achieving a similar level of success in family and other spheres as well.

debosky:

I think the aspect of corruption is linked more aptly to living or wanting to live above your means. There's no reason why you cannot be satisfied and make a decent living on a 'general path'. The desire to 'be like others' generally leads to corruption in my view.

I would say I'm sort of on the general track, though with some influence of the fast track as well. I am by personality not very oriented towards the personal track, but I will take decisions occasionally that will have a similar effect in furthering my personal aspirations.

I tend to hold a more holistic view of life - career being only an aspect of it. In that regard, ultimate success for me would not involve maximizing personal ambition but doing as much as I can in that area while achieving a similar level of success in family and other spheres as well.

LOL@debosky,
I'm sure you don't live in Nigeria.
The general track leads to a lot of frustration in Nigeria, and ultimately corruption, in order to get some kind of satisfaction against a perceived injustice by the system, in my view.
In the West, people can live more peaceful and contented lives, cos in general you guys have power, water, security, and good clean cheap fun.
Nigerians kill stress of power, money, roads, and lack of security, by heading to church or the nearest beer parlour to gulp down cold beers and tear into various sides of chicken or beef, flavoured with pepper soup.

AjanleKoko:

LOL@debosky,
I'm sure you don't live in Nigeria.
The general track leads to a lot of frustration in Nigeria, and ultimately corruption, in order to get some kind of satisfaction against a perceived injustice by the system, in my view.
In the West, people can live more peaceful and contented lives, cos in general you guys have power, water, security, and good clean cheap fun.
Nigerians kill stress of power, money, roads, and lack of security, by heading to church or the nearest beer parlour to gulp down cold beers and tear into various sides of chicken or beef, flavoured with pepper soup.

I still disagree with you. It is all in the mind. What you think is what determines the way you behave. I am in no sense saying people don't have very difficult challenges in their day to day lives, but a decision to steal to 'get satisfaction' is a clear indication of distorted thought processes.

You can go to church/mosque, beer parlours and what not without resorting to stealing to gain satisfaction, regardless of your income.

Not sure you see my point@debosky.
I'm linking the frustrations associated with the general track with some of the corruption we see in the public and private sector in Nigeria.
A lot of the general workforce in the private sector, where I work, and I'm also aware of the public sector, are generally disenchanted with their jobs and careers, and do not see themselves as going anywhere. That's my postulation. A lot of these people now make up their minds to take their revenge, as it were.

Just look at the general corruption in the Nigerian police. On one side you hear of their various atrocities, and on the other the massive ill-treatment meted out to the rank and file by the leaders in the police. We know about Tafa Balogun et al abi? A policeman who's at a general check point reads about how Tafa Balogun has been able to steal billions, and decides to take it out on the general populace (read 20 naira bribes, accidental discharges, etc).

On the beer parlour comment, what I'm saying is this: unlike other parts of the world, the Nigerian way of life, especially in the urban areas, is a bit Hobbes-ish (nasty and brutish). Except you have some well-developed value system, or a strong sense of inner adjustment, people do get tapped at the pressure points, and may eventually plunge into some kind of revenge fetish, as a means of getting some back. Hence the police analogy. Of course lots of people go to beer parlours and have a good time, and it doesn't necessary mean they're schizophrenic wrecks. But not withstanding, you have to admit that, like Fela said, 'suffer don dabaru the sense' of a large number of us.
Cheers.

AjanleKoko:

Not sure you see my point@debosky.
I'm linking the frustrations associated with the general track with some of the corruption we see in the public and private sector in Nigeria.
A lot of the general workforce in the private sector, where I work, and I'm also aware of the public sector, are generally disenchanted with their jobs and careers, and do not see themselves as going anywhere. That's my postulation. A lot of these people now make up their minds to take their revenge, as it were.

Just look at the general corruption in the Nigerian police. On one side you hear of their various atrocities, and on the other the massive ill-treatment meted out to the rank and file by the leaders in the police. We know about Tafa Balogun et al abi? A policeman who's at a general check point reads about how Tafa Balogun has been able to steal billions, and decides to take it out on the general populace (read 20 naira bribes, accidental discharges, etc).

If I understand you correctly, then it is imperfections in the Nigerian system that leads to corruption, not the fact that one is pursuing a general track.

Disenchantment is a nebulous term. Even if this applies to the 'general workforce', does that explain the egregious corruption in high places with people stealing 100 times over what can be spent in their lifetime?

I insist that it is the mindset that is the key. If the policemen are not stealing police uniforms or police revenue, how are they revenging against the 'system'? It is a flawed reasoning process.

The part of not seeing themselves going anywhere may be credible, but it is a weak minded decision to decide to steal in order to remedy that, when you can leave and do something else as you alluded to in the 'personal' and 'fast track' options.

In any case, I appreciate the point you are trying to make, let's suspend this discussion for now and let others contribute to the thread.

Sure thing, debosky!
However, I will take you up on one last thing.
You classified yourself in general track with some influence of the fast track.
Most of us are in general track, so no issues with that.
My definition of fast track is 'assistance from above'. Does that by implication mean that you were 'assisted' to some extent 'from above'?
Fast track largely by your own efforts on the job is what I classify as 'personal track', by the way.
Would like to know if that's what you mean.

All quiet on the career front. Q'uest Q'uil c'est passe?

Personal track cos it was my personal endeavours that took me to where im working. It wasnt by accident that im here and i agree with the OP that its tough sticking to some tough choices

nyways, the good has been more than the bad

halleluyah somebody

LOL TKB

Follow the laid down classifications. Except Ajanlekoko comes on here to say they aren't mutually exclusive.
For now, General track  and in the near futrue, personal track. I believe the personal track it's the way to go.

hey tollu and tkb,
Well, they aren't mutually exclusive. Only very few people can say they fall 100% in one track.
I would say I am 50% general track, and 50% personal track. Reason is I am on the general track (work in an establishment), but all along in my career, I've made my choices and stuck to them. That sounds like what tkb is saying.

To make it simple, here is further classification:
-100% general track means you don't have any personal ambitions, dreams or aspirations per se. You just wanna work in a company. You hardly find anyone like that.
-100% fast track is possible. You may have been anointed like Dimeji Bankole, 40, who is no whiz kid or known for anything, but is strangely the number 3 (or is it 4) citizen of Nigeria.
-100% personal track is someone like Seun, who is 100% against the grain, didn't do what any of us did to get to where we are, and is not even defined by our own standards of success, but I guess is happy doing what he's doing, and making some good living as well.

Peace.

Just wanted to bring back this thread:

What Career Track Are You Guys On? Tell Us!

brb

Deleted

debosky:

There's no reason why you cannot be satisfied and make a decent living on a 'general path'. The desire to 'be like others' generally leads to corruption in my view.

I think I agree with debosky. Corruption(or its tendency) is not path-specific; it can result within any of the three classes you identified. But I agree it will be minimal in Personal path, going by the definition you gave it.

I will say I'm currently on General path. I'm just moving up and down, formerly a budding investment banker,now an Accountant, simply because those were the jobs that came but has strong plan to go back to Personal path( dream career:Economist)

I would say I am on the General and Personal tracks. More of personal track though not fully entrepreneurial yet.
Am at the stage in my career where without the Fast track factor am positioning myself to realise my ambitions through personal efforts to get the best from the General track.
For me, relative success in other important aspects of my life will have a bearing on the contentment I get from my career whatever the track.
As Ambitious as I am,my family will take the lead then other things. that doesnt mean i would be a full time house wife o

Jarus:

I think I agree with debosky. Corruption(or its tendency) is not path-specific; it can result within any of the three classes you identified. But I agree it will be minimal in Personal path, going by the definition you gave it.

Agreed. Corruption can occur irrespective of which track you're on. In fact, the very basis of the Fast Track is usually sometimes corruption, and nepotism.
However, I don't really agree that corruption is a 100% individual decision. Sometimes it is, but most times, people resort to it out of frustration, especially if others are doing it and getting away with it, and they seem to be suffering in the process.

The General Track is more likely to breed frustration. Most of you guys who have responded, and I think most of us in this generation, are in General Track, but we operate with the Personal Track mindset, unlike the previous generations who expected a company to deliver their dreams, and ended up frustrated. I think to succeed in the General Track, you need some level of Personal Track drive to push yourself, else you may miss the plot altogether.

Another attempt to bring back this thread, guys, in light of the various upheavals due to the economic meltdown, jobs getting fried left right and center.
I'll ask the house again: What Career Track Are You On?

I am definitely on the path where even the eagles have not seen - It is an adventurous path.

On this path, everyone around you can sense that you are a man/woman of purpose and direction, and, surprise, most people will wish you well, and many will go out their way to help you. That's what I've found.

Track of the Brave, 100% Personal !
Strongly Opinionated about my career track; took a job with a major service provider that pays almost 60% lower than a Telecom Trainer job I was offered somewhere else. (desperately wanted real-world, brain-racking, finger-numbing experience). I work 9am - 6pm, including two Saturdays a week & Public Holidays. Spent three months out on the field climbing peoples roofs and overhead tanks, was later recommended to be moved to the NOC. Time flies once I get to the office. Basically, I'm loving what I do & doing what I love.

I am currently on the general track gradually working my way to the personal track cos i want to take control of my career and mould it around my desired goals and objectives.

yes!!

Yes, I am on the personal track. The track of the brave. I can decide leaving an organization to another at any point in time.
I'm a seasoned software developer. I can decide working from the corner of my room.
It's good to be personal,

In fact, until recently, I didn't realise how much of a 'General Track-er' I was.
I have to commit to reduce my 60% General Track to at most 30% in 2010.

I am attempting to resurrect this thread because am just seeing it for the first time and its an interesting one that need not die young.

Knowing that the OP doesn't have the final word on the definitions, i'll agree with folks that tend to morph one path into the other.
I actually am presently on the Personal track though i started on the General Track( how else can you describe a graduate that was on a 16k/mth. job and you get paid long into the middle of a new mth. by your boss dipping his hand inside his hip pocket to count out like 10k, then hand it over to you and promise to pay the balance on an unknown date)    I still wonder if the man thought i was just one of his sons that he just gives pocket money 

But unlike the General Track definition by the OP, mine wasn't any available job because it was in line with my chosen career and i was even prepared to work for free just to get the tangible skills that i know definitely will begin to attract the benjamins sooner than later.true to my dreams/determination, i was there only 6mths before a bigger door opened.

I don't think that the fast track is really what you chose, rather it choses you because you are never in control, being that you are someone's stooge, irrespective of whether you are a whiz on the job or not.
A not too distant example is the Nicholas Okoye of Transcorp fame, dude came from nowhere to ascend the board of the company,only to clear out investors money on that bogey game with madam Ndi and OBJ.

cecegorz:

Knowing that the OP doesn't have the final word on the definitions, i'll agree with folks that tend to morph one path into the other.

Of course, it's just a theory. After observing career patterns for years, I came up with those loose definitions. I'm sure organizational psychologists have much fancier definitions than mine.

As per your comments on the General Track, well, you may choose the field, but the job actually chooses you. Hence my reference to 'any available job'. Just like I would have loved to start my career working for Ericsson or Motorola, in some kind of R& capacity (baba nla wishful thinking ). Instead, I had to settle for the closest available I could get. You understand what I'm saying?

The fast track is never of your doing. In fact, if you've been on the fast track, don't deceive yourself, you definitely got 'unjust' help. Promotion is not only based on intellectual achievement, but more of true leadership qualities, which have little or nothing to do with how book-smart you are.

I always believe I am on the general track but with a bit of bias towards personal track. Before I started out some years back, I made up my mind that I was never going to work with any other firm except one of the Big 4 and this I set out to do without any one's assistance (if at all it was available). If there is one thing I hate most, it's office politics as I dont believe in being a servant to any "oga" because you want to climb the career ladder in a record time. I resigned from my first job in Nigeria mainly because I wanted people to see me as the best because of my ability and not because someone is pushing me up the ladder. I detest saying "yes sir" every minute to someone because of their fear that the person is capable of shaping your future/life.

Anytime I take stock of what I have done with my life since I left the university, I always give God the glory for making me a brave person. The fact that I created my own path without the assistance of anybody is always giving me the urge to push on. Though, presently I am still an employee but the desire to succeed on my own and make a name for myself is getting stronger everyday, which is why I stated earlier that I have an inclination towards the personal track. Mind you, I am not suggesting that people should not take the fast track if the opportunity comes their way but it is not everyone that is cut out to do that.

Rgds

AjanleKoko:

As per your comments on the General Track, well, you may choose the field, but the job actually chooses you. Hence my reference to 'any available job'. Just like I would have loved to start my career working for Ericsson or Motorola, in some kind of R& capacity (baba nla wishful thinking ). Instead, I had to settle for the closest available I could get. You understand what I'm saying

Yeah bro, But i want to believe that if the 'closest available' you got is still a subset of the original dream, i doubt if i will agree that it was wishful thinking because if you still have the drive to make a sustained push for it with the experience you've garnered over time, you might just still nick it. Never say, never.

AjanleKoko:

The fast track is never of your doing. In fact, if you've been on the fast track, don't deceive yourself, you definitely got 'unjust' help. Promotion is not only based on intellectual achievement, but more of true leadership qualities, which have little or nothing to do with how book-smart you are.

We got one in my coy as a Group head recently. Dude is just too young to be a GM and by the actions he had been taking since he shipped in, men, you will just know someone is beating the tunes he is dancing.

When i look at how people like Jack Welch led organisations by promoting merit and competence over cronyism, i just wonder whether it is still workable nowadays.
God fatherism seems to have been bought whole sale by board members from politicians.

tos:

Mind you, I am not suggesting that people should not take the fast track if the opportunity comes their way but it is not everyone that is cut out to do that.
Rgds

Thats what people will call favour bro, right or wrong. I doubt if anybody will rebuff an easy way up the ladder