CASE SANDI Without classrooms, textbooks, lectures, or professors, how was Sandi going to survive her challenging new job at KPMG? Well, as it turned out very well! In fact, after found herself working closely with people she liked and with high-profile clients on complex and interesting projects. It wasn't long before Sandi was working 60 to 70 hours per week. As her reputation increased, she noticed that it was much easier to get her manager to approve training opportunities, and that key people within the firm were seeking her out. Some of her peers, however, were not as fortunate. Many were put on the first year, Sandi easy jobs that were not big money-makers or were assigned jobs that others did not want to do. This was the worst kind of punishment-not to get training opportunities or to be ignored by the movers and shakers within the firm! After passing the CA exam, Sandi was quickly promoted to a management position. It would appear that her dream had indeed come true! If her dream had really come true, then why did she feel so conflicted? The long working days combined with the high pressure were starting to take their toll. Is this the life she really wanted? But after investing so many years preparing for a career in a prestigious accounting firm like 309 Part 2 Individual Characteristics and Mechanisms KPMG,could she leave? She was aware that an alternative career in the profession would be to work as an auditor or controller in government or industry. Although the work would be more routine, potentially boring, and would require a more focused set of technical skills, it would be a lot more predictable and structured in terms of hours -she could have a life! And another thought occurred to her. Because she had always performed so well in university, perhaps she should pursue graduate study and work toward a doctorate degree and become a professor. One of her professors had strongly encouraged her to look at that option. Going back to school would require Sandi leave the accounting profession altogether 9.1 How does the organization facilitate learning of tacit knowledge? What kind of decision is Sandi currently faced with? What kind of information should she consider? What are the risks that may lead to a poor choice? What do you think she will do? 9.2