Career stability and redirection in adulthood

Abstract

Age trends in 5-yr career stability and change were examined in an approximately 1-in-1,000 sample of 21–70 yr old male and female workers. Data on current occupation and occupation 5 yrs earlier were collected by the Census Bureau and reorganized for this study using J. L. Holland's occupational classification. Career stability increased with age for both sexes, and age differences persisted even when the analyses were restricted to occupation changers or socioeconomically mobile workers. People initially employed in consistent occupations were more stable than those initially employed in inconsistent occupations. Some kinds of midcareer redirection were more common than others. Suggestions for industrial and counseling application and implications for vocational theory are discussed. (38 ref) (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)