Exploration of Hope-centered Factors that Influenced United States Military Retirees' Career Progression.

摘要

Empirical research demonstrates that hope leads to positive outcomes in vast arenas. Recent studies identified that hope integrated with career development competencies empowers individuals with the means to proactively engage in their career development. Given that federal employees encounter frequent challenges in their career development, more research was needed on hope in the government to help them attain career progression while overcoming unstable employment and career vicissitudes. It was not known how U.S military retirees perceived the influence of hope-centered factors on their career progression. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how U.S. military retirees perceived the influence of hope-centered factors on their career progression. The Hope-Centered Model of Career Development served as the theoretical framework. Fifteen retirees were identified as high hope individuals from the use of the Hope-Centered Criterion Screening questionnaire. The three data sources used were Hope Centered Career Inventory (HCCI), semi structured interviews, and field notes. Descriptive statistics were calculated for HCCI scores, and thematic coding was conducted on the interview transcripts and field notes. The results revealed retirees as individuals with high levels of career development competencies and proactive personalities. The hope-centered factors that influenced retirees' career progression were cultivation of early career development, reiterative use of the HCMCD, education, goals, personal resources, strategic disappointment, support, and the desire for eudaimonic well-being.