The Career Cycle

The Career Cycle describes the stages individuals go through as they develop professionally. It typically includes exploration, where you identify interests and skills; establishment, where you gain experience and build your role; maintenance, where you refine skills and adapt; and decline or disengagement, where you may shift focus or prepare for retirement. Recognizing these stages helps manage career planning, set realistic goals, and understand that careers are dynamic processes rather than static paths. It’s a way to see professional growth as a continuous, evolving journey rather than a fixed destination.