Stages of Career Development
Career experts say that people will change careers (not to mention jobs) five to seven times in a lifetime, so your career will likely not be a straight and narrow path. Be sure to set goals and assess your interests, skills, and values often.
Thinking about your personal values is important when making career choices because they serve as guiding principles that influence your decisions, actions, and overall satisfaction in the workplace. Considering values when choosing a career ensures that your work will be meaningful, fulfilling, and aligned with your individual aspirations and principles. It lays the groundwork for a rewarding and purpose-driven career journey.
You can view the transcript for “Your Career Path Doesn’t Have to Be a Straight Line” here (opens in new window).
There are five main stages of career development. While these stages often correlate with age ranges, the defining characteristics are the behaviors and goals typical of each stage.
| # | STAGE | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | GROWING | This is a time in early years (4–13 years old) when you begin to have a sense of the future. You begin to realize that your participation in the world is related to being able to do certain tasks and accomplish certain goals. For example, a child might dream of becoming a veterinarian after caring for a pet. |
| 2 | EXPLORING | This stage is characterized by career discovery and experimentation, typically during your teenage years through mid-twenties. You try different roles and work environments to understand your interests and abilities. For instance, you might take various summer jobs, internships, or college courses to explore different career paths. The focus is on discovering what type of work engages you most. |
| 3 | ESTABLISHING | In this stage, typically mid-twenties through mid-forties, you’ve chosen your career direction and are working to build stability and advancement within your field. The focus shifts from exploration to building expertise and credibility. You might pursue certifications, advanced degrees, or take on increasing responsibility in your chosen field to enable upward growth. |
| 4 | MAINTAINING | This stage, typical for mid-forties to mid-sixties, is about managing your established career. You might be mentoring others, reaching senior positions, or making strategic decisions about your career trajectory. Some people continue growing and taking on new challenges, while others may feel content with their current level or even feeling stagnant. You may be reflecting on what you’ve accomplished and where you still want to go. |
| 5 | REINVENTING | In this stage, often beginning in your mid-sixties, you’re transforming your relationship with work. This might mean retiring, transitioning to consulting where you teach others your expertise, starting a business based on your experience, or pursuing entirely new interests. The focus is on using your accumulated wisdom while potentially exploring new directions. |
Keep in mind that your career development path is personal to you, and you may not fit neatly into the categories described above. You might experience characteristics of multiple stages simultaneously or move through stages in a different order. What matters is recognizing where you are now and understanding where you want to go next.
Career Support
Career Development Office on Campus
Whether you are a student, a graduate, or even an employer, you can obtain invaluable career development assistance at your college or university. Campus career centers can support, guide, and empower you in every step of the career development process, from initial planning to achieving lifelong career satisfaction.
Many colleges open their career centers to both current students and alumni.
Reading about Career Development
Going to college or taking courses for a certificate program is one of the best steps you can take to prepare for a career. But soon-to-be or recently graduated students are not necessarily guaranteed jobs. Staying educated about strategies for developing your career and finding new jobs will help you manage ongoing transitions.
- Read career development blogs such as Simplify’s blog with career advice articles or the Personal Branding Blog.
- The Muse is a website with advice for job seekers.
Career Roadmap
You can use the Career Roadmap from DePaul University, to evaluate where you are and where you want to be in your career/careers. It can help you decide if you want to change career paths and can guide you in searching for a new job. The road map identifies the following four cyclical steps:
- Know yourself
- Explore and choose options
- Gain knowledge and experience
- Put it all together: the job search process
Paid Agencies
As with all tasks in life, one may always pay a career placement firm or counselor for advice and support. These services will take time to evaluate and then require payment. In many instances, the same answers may be obtained from the other options listed here.