CAREER STAGES IN AUSTRALIAN PROFESSIONAL WOMEN - A TEST OF SUPERS MODEL

This study empirically tested Super's career stage theory by examining whether differences in Australian professional women's attitudes towa rd work vary across the career life cycle. A number of career stage re search criticisms relating to sample type, recycling issues, and caree r stage measurement were addressed. Hypotheses were tested via trend a nalyses providing support for the theoretical propositions in Super's career stage model. Results show that satisfaction with pay and job in volvement were lowest in the exploration stage, women in the establish ment stage were significantly more satisfied with pay and less willing to relocate for promotion compared to women in the exploration stage, while women in the maintenance stage were more committed to their pro fession and more involved in their careers than women in establishment and exploration stages. The research findings suggest that Super's ca reer stage model is a useful framework for understanding women's caree r development, (C) 1998 Academic Press.