In this presentation the authors will summarize a recent Swedish dual career project and then reflect on lessons learned from this project in terms of a nature of dual career development and related factors. This longitudinal mixed-method study with a set of questionnaires (N=261; N=250) and interviews (N=10) was aimed at examining adolescent student-athletes’ dual career experiences during their first year at national elite sport schools with a particular focus on development of their athletic and student identities. It was based on the holistic developmental perspective (Wylleman & Lavallee, 2004), the athletic career transition model (Stambulova, 2003), and the “winning in the long-run” philosophy underlying the Swedish dual career system (Lindahl, 2011). Briefly, the results of the study revealed: (a) significant changes in the transition variables during the educational year and their significant contributions to the student-athletes’ perceived quality of adjustment with personal resources as a key predictor, and (b) the participants’ search for an optimal balance between their athlete and student roles/identities. Further elaboration on the results led to several conclusions that might inform future dual career studies. First, to clarify a nature of dual career development, the optimal dual career balance was defined as a combination of sport and studies that helped student-athletes achieve their educational and athletic goals, live satisfying private lives and maintain their health and well-being. Second, recommendations for the dual career service providers emphasized: (a) helping student-athletes to develop personal resources (e.g., life skills), (b) planning shifts in prioritizing sport or studies during the educational year/competitive season, and (c) ensuring an empowerment (rather than controlling) approach in social support from coaches and teachers. Third, the Swedish dual career modeldrafted based on the study might be an example for other countries to proceed with the national dual career guidelines. © 2015 University of Bern, Institut of Sport Science