Table 1 Career development periods and career development tasks (Super, 1980)

Growth

0–14 years old

Childhood

–

Children try out professional roles through fantasy and games. They identify with the professional roles of their parents. They are not realistic when they say that they will choose this profession.

Exploration

15–24 years old

Adolescence

Clarification

Determination

Application

During this period, adolescents begin to become aware of their professional interests, needs, values, abilities, and personality traits. They become more conscious of themselves and try adult roles consciously. They have clear ideas about the profession. This covers the period when individuals decide to choose a profession and enter into business life. Therefore, career maturity is in the center of this period.

Establishment

25–44 years old

Emerging adulthood/adulthood

Deciding

Reinforcing

Progressing

This is the period when the individual starts his/her working life and begins to apply the self-concept in the profession.

Maintenance

45–65 years old

Adulthood

Protecting

Updating

Innovation

This is the period when individuals are productive and maintain their positions at work. After gaining a certain status in business life, all efforts are directed towards retaining and renewing it. There can be ups and downs, and pauses in their business lives.

Decline (pensioner)

65+ years old

Old age

Slowing

Retirement plan

Retirement

This is the period when the physical and mental abilities of the elderly decrease, their interest and energy towards the profession decreases, and retirement plans are made. In this period, individuals act by using their past experiences and knowledge rather than their physical strength.