This paper presents a theoretical model showing how managerial adaptability develops from career variety over the span of the person's career. By building on the literature of career theory, adult learning and development, and career adjustment, we offer a new conceptualization of managerial adaptability by identifying its behavioral, cognitive,…

Australians (n=226) in one of four stages of a second career (contemplating, choosing a field, implementing, change completed) were compared with 81 nonchangers. Job satisfaction varied as a function of stage. Results supported Super's theory that career changers cycle through the full set of career stages a second time. (SK)

Professional values of 241 physicians were determined from analyzing responses to 25 questionnaire items about an ideal medical school. Few differences were found for the seven factors (values), academic, professional, separatism, support, social welfare, research/specialization, status/prestige, and convenience. When values were analyzed by age…

Examined a series of decisions made by 95 subjects over a period of 18 years. Results indicated that decisions made at earlier stages of development are more likely to be of an exploratory nature and decisions made at later stages are more likely to be of a terminal nature. (Author)

Stages of career development consistent with age were found in a group of managers, who tended to attribute career success to inherent abilities, education, and developmental work experiences. Trends among three age groups were similar in regard to factors perceived as enhancing or adversely affecting career development. (Author)

Examined the theoretically predicted adult career outcomes of individuals who engage in different developmental patterns of commitment to choice. Results indicated minimal support for the hypothesis that those who engage in increasing commitment and who do not revert to earlier behaviors would experience the most desirable outcomes in adulthood.…

Examined validity of Adult Career Concerns Inventory (ACCI) and Career Adjustment and Development Inventory (CADI) as measures of adult vocational development by comparing responses of 124 salespeople to inventories and to measures of work adjustment. CADI clearly seemed to measure vocational development; ACCI seemed to measure concern about…

Young (N=38) and 2( older career changers in business-managerial occupations were compared to 45 young and 40 older vocationally stable controls with respect to several characteristics. Results showed career changers were characterized by high incongruity, emotional maladjustment, and fear of failure, and low differentiation and consistency of…

According to responses from 498 Australian professional women representing Levinson's 7 stages, pay satisfaction was the only 1 of 12 variables that displayed cyclic alternation between stability and transition. Some age differences appeared in terms of work involvement, aspiration, and plans to move. (SK)

The new "career contract" moves from organization-based careers to protean or self-based careers. The contemporary work environment demands the metaskills of identity development and heightened adaptability. Career stages now involve cycles of continuous learning rather than retraining, a way to tap the potential of older workers. (SK)

Studied effects of secondary school characteristics on career behavior in young adults. Found significant differences in patterns of career development by curriculum but not by sex, in certainty by curriculum and sex, and in satisfaction by neither curriculum nor sex. Comments by Donald Super and authors' response included. (Author/RC)

Three major areas of research are reviewed: the effects of maternal employment on preschoolers; the working mother and school-age children; and working mothers, identity development, and life satisfaction. Concludes that very few definitive answers exist regarding the effects of a mother's working on her family, children, and herself. (Author)

Reviews the findings of Lehman's study of age and outstanding occupational achievement along with the explanations of why major contributions most likely occur in young adulthood. Proposes an alternative explanation based on the central developmental tasks facing individuals in young adulthood and middle age. (JAC)

This review of research on lifespan approaches to career development finds that most studies focus on early career stages, fewer on middle to late adulthood. Research on work and nonwork domains (leisure, well-being, family) has increased in complexity and volume. Greater integration of these two strands is urged. (324 references) (SK)