Career Development and Career Stages

Career Development

Career  development  not  only  improves  job  performance  but  also  brings  about  the growth of the personality. Individuals not only mature regarding their potential capacities but also become better individuals.

Purpose of development

Management development attempts to improve managerial performance by imparting

ü Knowledge

ü Changing attitudes

ü Increasing skills

The major objective of development is managerial effectiveness through a planned and a deliberate process of learning. This provides for a planned growth of managers to meet the future organizational needs.

Career Stages

Four  distinct  career  stages  have  been  identified:  trial,  establishment/advancement, mid-career, and late career. Each stage represents different career needs and interests of the individual

1  Trial stage

The trial stage begins with an individual's exploration of career-related matters and ends usually at about age 25 with a commitment on the part of the individual to a particular occupation. Until the decision is made to settle down, the individual may try a number of jobs and a number of organizations. Unfortunately for many organizations, this trial and exploration stage results in high level of turnover among new employees. Employees in this stage need opportunities for self-exploration and a variety of job activities or assignments.

2 Establishment Stage

The establishment/advancement stage tends to occur between ages 25 and 44. In this stage, the individual has made his or her career choice and is concerned with achievement, performance, and advancement. This stage is marked by high employee productivity and career growth, as the individual is motivated to succeed in the organization and in his or her chosen occupation. Opportunities for job challenge and use of special competencies are desired in this stage. The employee strives for creativity and innovation through new job assignments. Employees also need a certain degree of autonomy in this stage so that they can experience feelings of individual achievement and personal success.

3 Mid Career Crisis Sub Stage

The period occurring between the mid-thirties and mid-forties during which people often make a major reassessment of their progress relative to their original career ambitions and goals.

4 Maintenance stage

The mid-career stage, which occurs roughly between the ages 45 and 64, has also been referred to as the maintenance stage. This stage is typified by a continuation of established patterns of work behaviour. The person is no longer trying to establish a place for him or herself in the organization, but seeks to maintain his or her position. This stage is viewed as a mid-career plateau in which little new ground is broken. The individual in this stage may need some technical updating in his or her field. The employee should be encouraged to develop new job skills in order to avoid early stagnation and decline.

5 Late-career stage

In this stage the career lessens in importance and the employee plans for retirement and seeks to develop a sense of identity outside the work environment.