If your career feels chaotic, try this research-based 'workout routine'
People's ability to successfully navigate career changes depends on their adaptability and flexibility—skills that can be developed through training transition "muscles," according to Sarah Wittman, assistant professor of management at Costello College of Business and of industrial-organizational psychology (by courtesy) at George Mason University.
Navigating career changes effectively requires developing adaptability and flexibility, skills that can be cultivated through targeted training. According to Sarah Wittman, an assistant professor of management at Costello College of Business and an industrial-organizational psychology expert at George Mason University, individuals can enhance their ability to transition by confidently narrating a new identity, adapting to instability, and connecting with support structures.
This concept is explored in a forthcoming book titled Research Handbook on Career Transitions, co-authored by Wittman, Bethany Cockburn, and Amy Colbert.
The authors propose a framework comprising three types of "transition muscles" that represent the knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes necessary for navigating career shifts. These muscles are integrated into an interconnected system. The first muscle, the content muscle, involves learning to narrate one's professional identity confidently. This process entails repeatedly rebuilding self-narratives, finding meaning in challenging situations, and using this awareness to manage future transitions.
The second muscle, the process muscle, focuses on applying past experiences to current transitions, recognizing the temporary nature of liminality—the phase when a person's social role shifts but is not yet defined by their future position. Strategies such as journaling, reflecting on past experiences, and reconnecting with supportive individuals can strengthen this muscle.
The third muscle, the context muscle, emphasizes building strong relationships with mentors or "anchors" who provide validation and support during periods of uncertainty. These relationships offer mirrors that help individuals feel stable and validated in their evolving identities. Wittman highlights the importance of reciprocal mentoring relationships, where supportive connections are built rather than transactional ones.
By training these transition muscles—through skillful narrative construction, viewing career shifts as temporary learning phases, and cultivating supportive relationships—individuals can enhance their career adaptability and successfully manage nonlinear career changes and uncertainty.
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