Career Transition and Professional Identity: Dynamic Processes, Multiple Selves, and Nonlinear Trajectories

Abstract

The evolving landscape of contemporary careers is marked by frequent nonlinear transitions and their concomitant identity dynamics. In this review we define career transition as a movement from one institutionally recognized work role sequence into a role that forms part of a different role sequence and that is perceived as career discontinuity by the person making the transition. We review the current state of research on career transition and professional identity to uncover overarching themes and important lacunae in our understanding of the antecedents, processes, and outcomes of change in today's varied and often circuitous careers, recommend directions for future research, and elaborate on practical implications for people and organizations.