What does the stage of "Maintenance" in Super's model primarily involve?

The "Maintenance" stage in Super's model primarily involves stabilizing one's work situation and improving status within that career. This stage typically comes after a period of growth, where individuals have established themselves in their careers and are focusing on maintaining their positions, advancing professionally, and enhancing their job performance. Individuals in this stage may seek to reaffirm their commitment to their current employment, pursue promotions, and improve their expertise and efficiency in their roles.

While aspects like exploring new job opportunities or broadening skills may occur later in one's career development, they are more aligned with other stages, such as exploration or growth. Retirement planning, while an important consideration for many, is typically associated with a later stage in Super’s model, where individuals begin contemplating the transition from active work life to retirement. Thus, the essence of the "Maintenance" stage is centered around stability and advancement within one's current career path.