People’s attitudes toward “careers” is evolving, according to a BlessingWhite online survey of 344 U.S. employees ages 18 to 60. While not yet back to the levels seen in a buoyant economy, a substantial majority (72%) believe they personally have the biggest control over their next career move (as opposed to their manager or the company they work for). Other survey findings:
- Respondents’ expectation of next career steps is more likely to include a new project or a new assignment (35%) or a move outside the company (23%) before a direct move up the corporate ladder (13%).
- They are five times more likely to expect to quit their current job than expect facing a layoff (84% vs. 16%).
- Three-quarters of respondents do not credit managers with being the main reason employees consider leaving a company.
- In general, organizations are seen to care about their employees’ career progression, and employees perceive they have decent career opportunities with their current employer. But a significant proportion (44%) of employees would rather be working for themselves —a sense of individualism and entrepreneurship that employers would do well to tap into.
