Job satisfaction and perceived benefits of educational opportunities in recessional environments among professionals

Abstract

An empirical analysis, via a focused, stratified approach to measure personal reactions to potential employment instability and educational incentives was conducted in a relatively large company, representative of the financial and marketing service industries, located in the metropolitan section of Cleveland, OH. This city was chosen as being representative of rustbelt areas most hit by the global recession. Via multiple linear regression, Chi-square, and factor analysis, it was found that these professionals increasingly view taking advantage of educational and/or training opportunities as the primary strategic leverage to become more competitive in the workplace and, hence, more desirable to their present employers. Many professionals view educational opportunities in their current field of expertise as preferred alternatives to pay-cuts, furlough, and/or changing careers.