Management Graduates’ Metaphors for Expectations through Dream Jobs

Abstract

The paper explores a set of metaphors and constructs about future corporate jobs as perceived by students of business and management. We asked a group of 250 postgraduate students in a business school two key questions: - 1) What is your dream job?; 2) How do you visualise your career? In reply, we received detailed narratives from 218 participants. The data was analysed using word cloud and word tree analysis techniques. The findings were broadly organised under two categories, instrumental factors and ideal factors. The findings demonstrate that corporate job aspirants in India visualise their jobs as fulfilling not only their career aspirations but also the ambitions of their family life as a whole. Moreover, voices advocating for increased freedom at work and corporate social care were loud and clear. The study contributes to the psychological contract of work.