ABSTRACT
Life has its moments of major transition. People graduate from college and take on new jobs and careers-this is not just a physical change, such as moving to a new city or buying a new wardrobe, but also a psychological one. We leave one set of identities and roles behind and adopt a new set that oŸen is yet to be de—ned. Old behaviors that have become ingrained are now no longer acceptable, and new behaviors are needed that are still in the process of development. People also experience transition when they leave one organization and job and accept employment at another organization. One’s old colleagues and support networks are gone, but new ones are not yet in place. Such transitions into new organizations also involve an assessment phase that is usually challenging and surprising, and the transition is even bigger when the job is a new one of some kind, such as a promotion. Transitions oŸen are de—ning moments in one’s career development, and it is useful and bene—cial to handle transitions well.
