Well before people were trying to figure out what color their parachute is, there was Donald Super's theory of career development. Born in 1910, Super developed the Life-Span, Life-Space Theory in the 1950's. The theory suggests that career development is a lifelong process influenced by various roles and life stages. Before Super, the Trait and Factor Theory was the dominant career coaching theory, which emphasized a one-time decision-making process where individuals aligned their traits with the characteristics of a particular occupation. In my case, as I mentioned in a previous post, my school counselor advised me I was meant to be a mortician. Spoiler alert: it turns out most people don't come out of the gate knowing exactly what they want to do.
Super identified five key life stages that individuals typically go through in their career development:
Growth (Birth to mid-teens): During this stage, people develop their self-concept, attitudes, interests, and needs, which begin to influence their understanding of the world of work.
Exploration (Mid-teens to mid-20s): You are exploring different career options, often through education, part-time work, internships, and other experiences. You begin to make tentative choices about your career path.
Establishment (Mid-20s to mid-40s): This stage involves gaining experience and establishing oneself in a chosen career. You are working towards achieving stability, securing the position, and progressing within your occupation.
Maintenance (Mid-40s to mid-60s): You are focused on maintaining your established career, continuing to improve skills, and adjusting to changes in your field. This stage is about holding onto the achievements and status gained during the establishment stage.
Decline (Mid-60s and beyond): Also referred to as the disengagement stage, you begin to reduce your work activities and prepare for retirement. This stage involves gradually withdrawing from the workforce and transitioning to other life roles. Presumably you're not here yet.
Chances are if you're reading this you're likely somewhere between stages 2 and 3. At the same time, there is flexibility within these five stages based upon your personal situation, and Super suggests that self-concept is a strong determinate when it comes to where you are in these stages. In other words, your path is not necessarily as linear as the stages imply. You could discover your passion after 40, and are seeking a change of career. You may have been hell bent on becoming a veterinarian when you were young, only to find out as an adult you are allergic to cats. Super's theory emphasizes that individuals often juggle multiple life stages simultaneously, and the importance of each role can change over time, depending on their personal circumstances.
To apply the Life-Span, Life-Space method to your own life and career, start with a bit of reflection on how your self-concept has evolved across different stages of your life, including considering the various contexts that influenced your choices. Relationships, including marriage, family, and community all have a tremendous impact on your career choices. What becomes important at 30 may be very different than what was important at 18. Explore how these factors have shaped your career path and overall life direction; essentially, mapping out how your identity has changed over time based on your experiences and environment. Think about significant moments where your life direction shifted, and how these changes impacted your self-perception and self concept.
Using this method is particularly useful if you find yourself standing at a crossroad, not knowing what to do next. Often, without understanding why, people fall into a job that may or may not make them happy. The goal is to be more intentional about your future by examining all the options, rather than allowing the choices to be made by default. And by looking back and examining your life choices, you can better understand how to chart a path forward.