Understanding Second Careers: Lessons from a Study of U.S. Navy Admirals

Abstract

This study examined career transition of senior executives from a strong bureaucratic and structured organization, into a dynamic, turbulent business environment career system. A two stage model is proposed that identifies antecedents to the success of the career succession. A survey of a unique population of U.S. Naval retired Flag-rank admirals, characterized by a need to go through career transition, yielded a 48% response rate (N = 334). Results indicate significant, meaningful support for a career transition model. The protean career approach was significantly related to internal career success whereas traditional career approach was associated with external career success.

Keywords: Second career, Protean career, Admirals, Navy, Organizational career system