Career transitions across the lifespan: A review and research agenda

Abstract

Career transitions are becoming increasingly prevalent across the lifespan, and research on the topic has proliferated in recent years. However, the literature is fragmented across disciplines and has primarily focused on specific one-off transitions (e.g., school-to-work, unemployment-to-work, work-to-work, work-to-retirement). To reconcile these different perspectives, we conducted a review of processual career transition research, analyzing 93 quantitative longitudinal studies in this area. We problematize and synthesize the existing literature focusing on four main challenges: (1) an overemphasis on normative and predictable transitions, (2) a fragmented use of theories, (3) a lack of focus on behavioral antecedents and outcomes, and (4) a lack of attention to boundary conditions. Building on these literature critiques, we formulate a future research agenda across five directions by integrating the existing studies into a self-regulation framework of career transitions. This review thereby contributes to creating a more consistent and integrative understanding of career transitions across the lifespan.