52-year career, one employer
Clive Stirling’s first pay cheque came as cash in a paper envelope.
It was the princely sum of $40, more than enough for a 17-yearold in 1966.
It has been more than half a century since Stirling’s first day in a cadetship with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and much has changed around him. However, the 69-year-old has held on, proving to be an outlier in a constantly changing job market.
‘‘Basically, you have to be prepared to cope with change and just get on with the job, be a good team player and look after your customers,’’ Stirling said.
Stirling hung up his lab coat as senior research scientist this month, after 52 years with what was DSIR, and which over the decades morphed into government agency Callaghan Innovation. ‘‘I wish I was 10 or 15 years younger so I could get involved in some of the exciting stuff that is happening,’’ he said.
Despite a desire to keep going, the decision to retire came when his team was relocated to Wellington. ‘‘These days you have time for two or three careers because things are changing so much, instead of having a lifetime career,’’ Stirling said.
‘‘I am lucky I have been able to do that but I don’t think it’s an option now. ‘‘Things change, companies disappear.’’
While he didn’t go into his job for the money, Stirling said there was huge job satisfaction and stability for his family.
Sarah Macartney, spokeswoman for Seek, said 52 years with one employer was an outlier for the current employment market. ‘‘What we are seeing is an increase in the frequency of which people change jobs.
‘‘So, 67 per cent of working Kiwis have had a career change in some point of their lives,’’ she said. Seek’s research found 52 per
cent of working Kiwis were considering a career change in the future and 40 per cent of these were expecting to make the change in the next 12 months.
‘‘The number one driver for people to change was earning potential,’’ Macartney said.
This was followed by the need for a challenge and career advancement. ‘‘The drivers for people wanting to change careers does change by demographics,’’ said Macartney.
‘‘For millennials, the number one priority was career development whereas for baby boomers it’s salary followed by work-life balance. The ability to stay with one employer for a long period of time is changing because companies are changing much more than they used to.’’ Businesses were changing in response to innovation, technology and global pressures, she said.
Melanie Tuala, media manager for Callaghan Innovation, said three staff had been there for more than 45 years and 24 had been with the agency between 35 and 40 years.