What is a defining characteristic of the Maintenance stage in Super's theory?

In Super's theory of career development, the Maintenance stage is primarily characterized by individuals working to sustain their current position and improve their situation within their existing occupational environment. During this stage, individuals focus on enhancing their skills, gaining recognition, and possibly advancing in their careers, all while maintaining their job security.

This stage emphasizes the importance of continuing contributions to their career and making adjustments as necessary to foster growth and satisfaction, rather than seeking new employment opportunities or transitioning to other phases of career development. While exploring new job options or deciding on a career path is relevant in earlier stages, and transitioning to retirement is a later phase, the Maintenance stage is distinctly focused on honing one's current role and ensuring ongoing professional development and stability.