A Matter of Mindset: The Benefit of a Growth Mindset After a Career Shock

Abstract

The COVID pandemic has created a career shock felt around the world. This study examines the negative effect the pandemic has had on an individual’s career perception, career satisfaction, and career choice commitment. Using a cross-sectional design and a sample of 112 individuals working in the hospitality and tourism industry, findings indicate that the pandemic has had a significant negative influence on an individual’s career perception, career satisfaction, and career choice commitment. Furthermore, an individual’s mindset moderates this relationship such that those with a growth mindset (i.e., those who feel things can change through effort) indicated a less negative career perception and career choice satisfaction than those individuals with a more entity mindset (i.e., those who feel things cannot change through effort). These results suggest that cultivating a growth mindset could be an important factor in successfully responding to a career shock and possibly, in general, more resilient in times of uncertainty.