What is the term for the path of successive opportunities that characterizes our worklife and achievement throughout adulthood?

The term that best describes the path of successive opportunities characterizing our work life and achievement throughout adulthood is "A Career." A career encompasses the broader journey people take in their professional lives, including their chosen field, advancements, learning, and experiences that contribute to their overall growth and achievements.

This term implies a long-term perspective, highlighting progression, aspirations, and the accumulation of skills and experiences over time, often aligned with personal and professional goals. In contrast, terms such as "job," "profession," and "occupation" may refer to specific aspects or roles within one's career, but they do not encapsulate the entire journey and development that define a career.

A job typically refers to a specific position of employment, often with less emphasis on long-term development or path. A profession usually means a vocation requiring specialized education and training, often emphasizing qualifications and standards, while an occupation is more of a general category for work that does not necessarily include growth or progression over one's lifetime. Thus, "A Career" is the most holistic term, reflecting the ongoing nature and opportunities present throughout an individual’s working life.