ABSTRACT
This chapter demonstrates that the idea of work remains important to young people while continuing the investigation of identity and biography among the young men and women on the post-industrial assembly line. The chapter shows that call centres employ a diverse group of people, some of whom seek a long-term future and actively invest themselves in the company, whilst others see a short-term fix while they wait for other avenues to open. Despite company rhetoric about possible advancement and responsibility, reality shows the financial rewards for advancement in call centres remain pitiful at best. Darren was a 31-year-old team leader at Call Direct. Darren felt that the unprofessional attitude the management displayed toward appointing competent Call Centre Managers generated a negative atmosphere that affected his impression of the company. Ian Joining the army was a 'real' career for him, complete with long-term opportunities and progression, however call centre work was a short-term necessary evil.
