| Exploration This typical pattern begins with exploration. This stage typically lasts into the mid 20s and involves finishing any remaining schooling and securing the crucial first job. |
| Establishment Next is typically establishment. This is when people decide to commit to an occupational area and become established. Depending on the occupational area, this stage may involve a mentor. A Mentor is someone with a senior position in an organization who serves as a role model, tutor, and advisor to a younger worker. |
| Maintenance Following establishment, next is maintenance. This stage is usually crossed into in the mid 40s and is marked by more concern with retaining achieved job status than in improving it. |
| Decline Then, last is typically decline. In the decline stage people have to prepare to leave the workplace as retirement looms near. Retirement marks the end of work transition, and possibly allows the cycle to begin again if one chooses to reenter the job market |