Skip to main content
Search
Open menu
  • Contact Us
  • Caesar
  • Graduate
  • Post-baccalaureate
  • Undergraduate
  • Professional Development
  • Summer
  • Pre-College
  • Center for Public Safety
  • OLLI
  • Get Information
SPS Logo
  • HOME
  • STORIES
  • New Survey Sheds Light on Motivation, Careers and Happiness
type: News topic: SPS News program: All (or General SPS)

New Survey Sheds Light on Motivation, Careers and Happiness

Career Happiness

Close to 70 percent of people are not in their “dream job.” That’s according to a recent Northwestern University School of Professional Studies survey of 500 professionals. The survey was conducted to understand the connection between motivation, educational focus and careers, and the degree of happiness later experienced. Results show that people are strongly motivated by passion when choosing a major, yet close to half end up working in a different field. Most respondents plan to make a career change within about five years — often for practical reasons — and they find new positions relatively quickly. The survey also showed that, beyond the $60 to $75k range, an increase in salary did not correlate with increased happiness. The results should encourage anyone considering returning to school; it’s clear that the pursuit of meaningful work is an ongoing process that changes with personal needs and interests.

 

Happiness in Careers Infographic

tags:
September 1, 2016
Northwestern University logo
  • © Northwestern University
  • Building Access
  • Campus Emergency Information
  • Careers
  • Contact Northwestern University
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Statement
  • Report a Concern
  • Report an Accessibility Issue
  • University Policies
  • Address
  • SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
  • 339 EAST CHICAGO AVENUE, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60611
  • 405 CHURCH STREET, EVANSTON, ILLINOIS 60201
  • (in-person meetings are by appointment only)
  • Phone number
  • CHICAGO
  • (312) 503-6950
  • EVANSTON
  • (847) 491-5611
  • FAX
  • (312) 503-4942

Social Media

FacebookTwitterLinkedin
YouTubeInstagram
  • Part-Time Undergraduate Degrees
  • Master's Degrees
  • Advanced Graduate Certificates
  • Professional Development Programs
  • Post-Baccalaureate Programs
  • Professional Health Programs
  • Summer Session
  • Program Search
  • Sitemap