Week 6 Article Flashcards
What is the “portfolio ideal worker”?
A white-collar worker in the new economy who invests in a portfolio of skills, networks, and experiences to navigate job insecurity and advance independently.
How does the portfolio ideal differ from the white-collar ideal of the Fordist era?
white collar portfolio ideal:
emphasizes flexibility, independence, and personal branding
white collar ideal fordist era:
firm loyalty, steady employment, and collective security.
What are the four main features of the portfolio ideal worker?
Networking
Identity in a personal brand
Risk taking
Passion for work
What major economic transformations influenced the shift to the portfolio ideal?
Globalization
digital technology
decline in labor protections since the 1970s.
How does the portfolio ideal reflect neoliberal ideology?
it places responsibility on individuals to self-manage careers, emphasizing personal image and risk, while ignoring structural inequalities.
Why is the hedge fund industry an ideal case to study the portfolio worker?
It combines high pay, employment risk, elite status, and obvious gender and racial inequalities.
What replaces firm loyalty in the portfolio ideal?
Cultivating a personal brand and professional reputation.
How does gender make a difference in the process of building a personal brand?
women and racial minorities often work harder to promote themselves and deal with sterotypes
What is the significance of the “investment thesis” in personal branding?
helps you clearly show others what you stand for and why you’re worth their time, trust, or money
Why is passion emphasized in the portfolio ideal?
It is used to justify overwork and to signal commitment in the absence of job security.
How does passion rhetoric affect women, especially mothers?
Women are often seen as less passionate due to caregiving responsibilities, which can limit mentoring and advancement opportunities.
How has the ideal of job security changed?
Steady promotion has been replaced with expectations to take professional risks and change firms for advancement.
How are gender stereotypes connected to risk-taking in finance?
Women are stereotyped as risk-averse, yet penalized when they take bold risks, facing different standards than men.
What role does race play in perceptions of risk behavior?
Black professionals may face backlash for assertive behavior that mirrors accepted White masculine norms.
What replaces internal promotion as a path to advancement?
Leveraging and investing in external networks.
How do gender and race affect access to networks?
Women and minorities often lack access to dominant White male networks, limiting job security and opportunity.
What does “leveraging” social capital mean in this context?
Using your relationships and connections like valuable tools—to help you get things like jobs, clients, or recognition.
