From Wallflower to Life and Soul of the Party: Acknowledging Time’s Role at Center Stage in the Study of Careers

The point of departure for this paper is the observation that time is central to the study of careers, although research on time and careers is not easy to do and is expensive. The paper does not attempt to minimize these practical difficulties, but nevertheless suggests new ways forward for time-based careers research. First, we review the reasons for time playing such a central role in the study of careers. Next, we examine the approach scholars from other disciplines, ranging from philosophy to organization studies, have taken to the study of time, drawing out a number of anchor points that, we suggest, form the basis for a new research agenda for career studies. Finally, we develop idea for this agenda across three broad themes, to do with conceptual issues, methodological issues, and areas of study that could fruitfully be opened up.