Career Satisfaction Research Articles

Double-Edged Indirect Relationships Between Career Adaptability and Career Satisfaction

Double-Edged Indirect Relationships Between Career Adaptability and Career Satisfaction

Exploring Motivating Factors for Pursuing Radiation Oncology: A Comparative Analysis of Medical Students and Residents.

Purpose Increasing medical student (MS) interest in radiation oncology (RO) is important to meet the rising demand for radiation oncologists. Understanding the factors that drive MS to pursue RO is crucial. This study compares motivating factors between MS and RO residents to inform interventions to increase recruitment and sustained interest in the specialty. Methods Data from two similar studies investigating factors motivating MS and residents to pursue RO were analyzed. The first study surveyed Canadian RO residents to characterize enablers when applying for RO residency. The second study analyzed application essays from MS applying to an RO studentship. A mixed methods approach was used to compare themes ("career aspects,""prior exposure," and "personal experiences") between the datasets. Results Qualitative analysis demonstrated that both MS and residents identified "career aspects" as the most common theme facilitating interest in RO careers. "Multidisciplinary work" and "direct clinical contact and patient care" were prominent sub-themes. MS emphasized "serious illness and palliative care" and "advanced technology,"while residents prioritized RO as a "rewarding career.""Prior exposure,"particularly through shadowing/observerships, was more important for MS than residents who valued clinical experiences. Practical career considerations including "mentorship" and "career satisfaction and lifestyle" were significant motivators for residents. Conclusion MS value content-based aspects of RO and emphasize shadowing. In contrast, RO residents prioritize lifestyle-based considerations. These differences highlight the opportunity for intervention throughout medical training to sustain interest in RO and facilitate applications to RO residency programs.

A survey of the members of the American Society of Pediatric Neurosurgeons and factors associated with well-being.

The goal of this study was to survey the members of the American Society of Pediatric Neurosurgeons (ASPN) to assess the prevalence and associated risks of burnout among pediatric neurosurgeons. The authors aimed to identify the factors that most significantly contributed to this risk to provide a baseline group of characteristics to improve physician well-being. Institutional Review Board approval from the University of Arizona was obtained, and the 7-question and 9-question Mayo Physician Well-Being Index (WBI) was distributed to members of the ASPN (n = 275). This index screens for many different aspects of distress for physicians, including burnout risk, stress, depression, fatigue, suicidal ideation, and low career satisfaction. An analysis of 111 pediatric neurosurgeons (111/275 [40% response rate]) was completed. Respondent ages were distributed, with those aged 56-60 years representing the highest proportion (20%). University practice represented a majority (72%). One-third (32%) of respondents reported practicing greater than 25 years, and most physicians in the survey were married (76%). One-third of surgeons spend 61-70 hours working per week (33%), and a plurality are on call between 6 and 10 days per month (42%). Most surgeons reported treating fewer than 200 cases per year (37% reported 100-150 cases; 23%, 151-200). Most pediatric neurosurgeons (63%) stated their annual salary was sufficient. Analysis of each WBI question was performed to identify which factors specifically contributed to the risk of burnout. An overwhelming majority of respondents reported that they make significant efforts to do at least one thing each week that brings them joy (97%), and they either agree or strongly agree that they perform meaningful work (98% of all participants, 97% of females, and 98% of men, p = 0.010). Nearly half of all respondents (49%) reported feelings of burnout and a majority of them were female (67% of women and 42% of men, p = 0.021). Time, environment, case volumes, and quality-of-life concerns are all factors that significantly contribute to the overall risk of burnout and well-being. This survey study of the ASPN membership revealed a 49% rate of burnout with females at higher risk (67%). Factors associated with burnout were salary, more than 10 days on call per month, electronic medical record stressors, and work-life incongruity. The aforementioned notwithstanding, respondents believe pediatric neurosurgery is a meaningful career. This study provides evidence supporting a moral imperative toward recognition of burnout symptoms and a pivot point toward implementing change.

교사의 교직선택동기와 직무역량 및 삶 만족도 간의 관계

Purpose: The aim of the study was to examine the relationships among teachers’ motives for career choice and satisfaction with life being a teacher, mediated by job competence. Special attention is given to the moderated mediation effect by job burnout. Methods: To address the research questions we utilized data from the first wave of the Seoul Educational Longitudinal Study, including 2418 teachers in elementary/secondary education. A structural equation model was conducted and for the main analysis a Process Macro (59) was applied to examine the moderated mediation effect in the main model. Results: Results indicate that a partial mediation effect of competence on the relationship between motivations and satisfaction. Also, the positive relationship of internal motivation and competence was moderated by job burnout. In sum, only internal motivation impacts teachers’ satisfaction with life and the competence’s mediation effect is moderated by job burnout (-). Conclusion: The implications of thefindings are that teachers motivated by internal factors show higher satisfaction with life being a teacher and that job competence plays a positive role in the psychological process. However, job burnout limits the chance by reducing the internal motivation’s positive effect on competence. Policy implications are drawn based on the results of the study.

Strategies to promote scholarship among academic hospitalists.

Academic hospitalists play an integral role in the day-to-day care of hospitalized patients, education and research. They are well-positioned to engage in scholarly and research activities and inform clinical practice. Hospital medicine also offers a compelling career path for those seeking to maintain a broad clinical focus while also pursuing opportunities in quality improvement (QI), clinical research, and medical education (MedEd) projects. Participation in these endeavors not only foster scholarly growth but also enhances career satisfaction for hospitalists. Therefore, there is a need to explore and implement feasible strategies to equip hospitalists with the knowledge and resources necessary to generate scholarship and promote academic growth within the field.

Exploring the “inner compass”: How career strivings relate to career self‐management and career success

AbstractThis research investigates the relations between career strivings, career self‐management behaviors, and career success. Examining 312 German workers with two measurement waves, Study 1 reveals that career strivings significantly positively relate to engagement in various career behaviors, extending beyond the scope of established motivational variables. Specifically, we observed that self‐enhancement strivings correlate with self‐promotion activities, self‐transcendent strivings with helping behaviors, and personal growth strivings with continuous learning. In Study 2, incorporating three measurement waves and involving 299 German workers, examines how these career strivings differentially relate to objective career success and career satisfaction. Our findings indicate that self‐enhancement strivings are associated with higher leadership positions and workplace status, while self‐transcendent and personal growth strivings are linked to greater career satisfaction. Additionally, self‐enhancement strivings indirectly relate to career satisfaction through increased recognition. In contrast, self‐transcendent and personal growth strivings relate to satisfaction through experiences of meaningful work and personal development. This research underscores the significance of career strivings in influencing career self‐management behaviors and success, providing novel insights into the complex interplay between individual aspirations and professional outcomes.

Across the professional lifespan: comparing the workforce trends of early career and established counselling psychologists in South Africa

ABSTRACT Counselling Psychologists (CPs) constitute a considerable proportion of psychologists in South Africa (SA), yet empirical knowledge on this workforce remains limited. Furthermore, changes within this workforce overtime have not been thoroughly examined. This study compares early career (<10 years) and established (>10 years) CPs relating to demographic characteristics, work settings, professional roles and activities, career satisfaction, and perspectives on efforts to demarcate the practice of CPs in SA. A total of 512 survey responses were analysed, with 39% representing early career CPs and 61% representing established CPs. Findings reveal significant differences between early career and established CPs across several domains, including age, race, geographic location, highest professional degree, languages spoken; current job-seeking status; satisfaction with income, employment opportunities, work-life balance and primary work settings; likelihood of emigration; and supervision frequency and format. Overall, the results suggest movement towards transformation within the CP profession in SA. Nevertheless, systemic issues continue to hinder the optimal utilisation and equitable distribution of CPs within the country. Advocacy and ongoing workforce analysis is thus essential to support, retain, and effectively utilise CPs as a valuable resource, especially in light of the ongoing debates surrounding the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) system in SA.

The Roles of Proactive Personality and Career Satisfaction in the Impact of Employer Brand Attributes Congruence on Creativity.

Although the relationship between employer brand and employee creativity has become a popular theme, this nexus is indirect and ambiguous. Additionally, most studies ignore the consistency of instrumental and symbolic attributes when discussing the consequences of employer brand. This study explored the mechanism of employer brand attributes congruence on employee creativity through career satisfaction, and further revealed the moderating role of proactive personality. Based on the cue consistency theory and the social information processing theory, a polynomial regression model was created and a response surface analysis was conducted using 488 paired questionnaires. The results showed that employer brand attributes congruence impacted employee creativity via career satisfaction. A consistent employer brand strategy is more effective for the creativity of less proactive individuals, while a high-level proactive personality can compensate for the deficiencies of employer brand attributes incongruence. The results complemented employer brand research from the perspective of the instrumental-symbolic attribute configuration and provided supportive empirical evidence of employer brand practices aiming at improving employee creativity. This study has certain practical implications for HR practitioners.

Education and Career Advancement Opportunities in Polish and English Nursing-A Comparative Study of Intensive Care Unit Nurses.

The aim of this study was to comparatively investigate education, job, and professional development satisfaction among intensive care unit nurses in Poland and England. A total of 258 ICU nurses from both countries were interviewed (72 Polish nurses working in Poland and 186 of various national backgrounds in England, including 50 of Polish origin). We used an 11-item structured survey followed by an open-ended qualitative interview retrospectively coded for statistical analysis. Regardless of national origin, nurses in England report significantly higher education satisfaction, attributed to better theoretical knowledge gain but not to other dimensions (such as practical knowledge or personal satisfaction). They also express greater satisfaction with job conditions regarding professional development, a state-of-the-art work environment, teamwork, and finance. The UK system is also considered significantly superior in promotion opportunities and participation in post-graduation training. In conclusion, systemic factors play a crucial role in career satisfaction and advancement in nursing, with the British band system having a clear advantage over the Polish one.

Understanding the Relationship Between Just World Belief and Career Success: The Role of Work Engagement

Employees’ beliefs about justice were found to be related to positive work attitudes and behaviors. We complement this line of research by focusing on whether justice beliefs benefit employees by increasing their career success. Drawing on the just world hypothesis, this study explores the impact of personal belief in a just world on employees’ subjective and objective career success and considers the mediating mechanism of work engagement in this association. Three-wave time-lagged data from 320 full-time employees in China supported our hypothesized mediation model. Our research underlines the importance of employees’ justice beliefs for their career development and satisfaction, and suggests that organizations should avoid unjust experiences to increase employees’ work engagement, and furthermore benefit their career success.

Unravelling the predictive role of work rules on compassion satisfaction and career satisfaction among professionals of obstetrics and gynaecology: The mediating effect of team support

Abstract Work rules are an important guiding principle that regulates professional behaviour in organizational settings, however, the mechanism through which work rules affect physicians’ compassion satisfaction and career satisfaction remains unknown. Additionally, existing literature mainly focuses on direct associations, overlooking team support’s potential mediating role. This creates a research gap regarding team support as a mediator between work rules and both compassion and career satisfaction, requiring further scholarly investigation. Hence, the present study aims to investigate team support as a mediator between work rules and both compassion and career satisfaction in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Obs and Gynae) physicians. A cross-sectional survey was distributed to 347 participants between 24 and 60 years (M = 31.22; SD = 6.81) in tertiary care hospitals. Participants were approached through purposive and convenient sampling techniques. A structural equation modelling through AMOS was analysed to study the complex interlinkages among the variables. The study found significant mediation of team support between work rules and career satisfaction (b = 0.077, 95% CI = 0.052, 0.106, P = 0.000). Also, an indirect significant path of team support is found between work rules and compassion satisfaction (b = 0.032, 95% CI = 0.020, 0.044, P = 0.000). Teamwork has far-reaching implications for healthcare professionals’ well-being, team dynamics, patient care quality, and the overall effectiveness of healthcare organizations. Filling this research gap enables healthcare professionals to foster more supportive work environment, benefiting both physicians and the patients they serve.

Another trip? Functional and dysfunctional coping with business travel

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to clarify why business travel has ambivalent effects on occupational well-being. We examine associations between business travel, career satisfaction and turnover intentions, as well as the mediating role of functional and dysfunctional coping strategies.Design/methodology/approachWe collected four waves of data across three months from 676 employees (n = 147 business travelers who traveled for work at least once during the study period; n = 529 non-travelers) working in various industries and managerial positions.FindingsConsistent with expectations, the greater the extent of business travel, the higher both career satisfaction (mediated by higher emotional and instrumental support, positive reframing, and substance use, and lower venting and self-distraction, denial and self-blame, and behavioral disengagement) and turnover intentions (mediated by higher active coping and planning, venting and self-distraction, behavioral disengagement, and lower positive reframing).Practical implicationsFindings reveal that business travel presents an ambivalent psychological experience and point to the importance of obtaining and using a coping portfolio in this context.Originality/valueThis study addresses functional and dysfunctional coping as unexplored mediating mechanisms between business travel, career satisfaction, and turnover intentions and provides new insights for research and practice on business travel.

Adaptation of the Work-Related Quality of Life-2 Scale (WRQoL-2) among Portuguese Workers

In the present study we aimed to fulfill two main goals. The first was to adapt the WRQoL-2 Scale among Portuguese workers and the second was to verify the associations between WRQoL-2 dimensions and perceived organizational performance dimensions (e.g., social and economic). To reach our research goals, we used a sample of 635 Portuguese workers. The WRQoL Scale has been widely used for academic and practical ends and comprises six dimensions: Job and Career Satisfaction, Control at Work, General Well-Being, Home–Work Interface, Stress at Work, and Working Conditions. Recently, the authors proposed a revised measure—WRQoL-2—in which they added a seventh dimension—Employee Engagement. As this second version had not yet been translated into the Portuguese language for Portugal, this was our first goal. By performing a set of statistical analyses such as EFA, CFA, reliability, convergent and discriminant validity, and invariant analysis, the results suggested a six-factor structure where the dimensions of Job and Career Satisfaction and Employee Engagement were united. The final structure suggested good reliability as well as convergent and discriminant validity as it showcased invariance according to gender and sector. Because there is a lack of studies focusing on the links between quality of work life and organizational performance, we then tested the interplay between WRQoL-2 and perceived organizational performance dimensions, and we verified that, although most are significantly associated, the results suggest a low intensity. This work also presents several theoretical and practical implications.

Professional development, career mobility and career satisfaction among employees in education industry in AnHui China: Basis for career success framework

Professional development, career mobility and career satisfaction among employees in education industry in AnHui China: Basis for career success framework

The Impact of Personal Satisfaction on the Environmental, Social, and Governance Practices of Chinese Accounting Managers

The accounting profession plays an important role in upholding ethical standards and environmental integrity. This study examines the impact of personal life, career, and family satisfaction on the environmental, social, and governance practices of Chinese accounting professionals in Hong Kong. Drawing on the theories of moral identity and self-determination, this study hypothesises that professional ethical behaviours, such as corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental protection, are positively correlated with well-being in the workplace and the family and personal lives of individuals. For the research methodology, this study employs a combination of rating scales, namely, the satisfaction with life scale, the generic job satisfaction scale, the family satisfaction scale, the CSR orientation (CSRO) scale, and the environmental motive scale. The responses of 478 accounting professionals in Hong Kong were analysed. SPSS Version 26.0 was used for data analysis. Significantly positive correlations between personal satisfaction and CSRO and between personal satisfaction and motivations for environmental sustainability were detected. In contrast to family satisfaction, life and job satisfaction were more intricately correlated with enhanced CSR commitment and environmental concern. Job satisfaction was a significant predictor of both CSR commitment and environmental responsibility, although this study has limitations, including potential response biases, cultural specificity, and self-reporting inaccuracies. Ethical practices and sustainability in accounting can be significantly enhanced by improving personal well-being. Professionals in this type of work environment may enhance their ethical engagement and environmental stewardship. This study offers theoretical and practical contributions to the research on the accounting profession in Hong Kong.

Career Impact of Palliative Care Fellowship Training for Nurse Practitioners.

Background: Postgraduate fellowship training for nurse practitioners (NP) in palliative care can ameliorate workforce shortages; however, currently there are few NP fellowships and little evidence about outcomes, such as retention in hospice and palliative nursing, job satisfaction, or professional contributions. Objective: To describe the impact of palliative care fellowship training on the careers of NP alumni. Methods: A survey was electronically distributed to all NP alumni of an interprofessional palliative care fellowship since adult and pediatric nursing cohorts were added (2009-2022). Results: Most respondents still worked in hospice and/or palliative care; a majority of them engaged in professional activities beyond clinical work and reported high career satisfaction. Alumni endorsed multiple benefits of postgraduate fellowship except for post-fellowship compensation. Conclusions: NP palliative care fellowship alumni reported multiple career benefits including job satisfaction, professional accomplishment, and ongoing employment at their training institutions.

Work-Related Quality of Life among Physicians in Poland: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Working in a healthcare setting is associated with high levels of stress and burnout syndrome. Work-related quality of life (WRQoL) remains insufficiently evaluated among physicians. The aim of this study is to assess the WRQoL among physicians of interventional, non-interventional, and diagnostic specialties in Poland. Standardized and anonymous WRQoL questionnaires have been filled in by 257 physicians working in Silesia, Poland. After the removal of missing data, 246 individuals were stratified in terms of specialties into the appropriate categories, including interventional, non-interventional, and diagnostics. These categories were compared using the following subscales: general well-being (GWB), home-work interface (HWI), job and career satisfaction (JCS), control at work (CAW), working conditions (WCS), and stress at work (SAW). Out of 246 individuals, 132 were women (53.7%) and 112 (45.5%) were men. There were no differences in terms of WRQoL scores (p = 0.220) and subscales GWB (p = 0.148), HWI (p = 0.368), JCS (p = 0.117), CAW (p = 0.224), WCS (p = 0.609), SAW (p = 0.472) between interventional, non-interventional, and diagnostic specialties. The group of young doctors (age ≤ 30 years) had higher JCS scores than the older ones (mean score [SD], 22.7 [3.98] vs. 21 [4.6]; p = 0.013). Physicians who were not working in hospital had higher WRQoL score than respondents working in hospital (p = 0.061), with significant differences in terms of GWB (mean score [SD], 20.3 [4.93] vs. 22.8 [3.2], p = 0.014), HWI (mean score [SD], 9.1 [=2.65] vs. 10.6 [2.73], p = 0.011), and WCS (mean score [SD], 9.5 [2.61] vs. 10.8 [2.54], p = 0.035). There were no differences considering overall WRQoL between analyzed groups stratified according to specialty. However, we disclosed a significant association between the respondent's WRQoL and age as well as place of work.

Human resource flexibility and employee creativity: the roles of perceived HR strength, career satisfaction, and employer brand

Human resource flexibility and employee creativity: the roles of perceived HR strength, career satisfaction, and employer brand

대학생의 자아개념이 진로교육만족도에 미치는 영향

This study analyzed the influence of university students' self-concept on their careereducation satisfaction, mediated by goal orientation and career maturity. The results showedthat university students' self-concept influenced their career education satisfaction in terms of career exploration in major and general education courses, and career preparation-relatedcourses. self-concept and career maturity had a significant relationship when mediated by goalorientation. High self-concept alone does not necessarily lead to career maturity without cleargoal orientation. The formation of self-concept, mediated by goal orientation and careermaturity, had a significant influence on career education satisfaction. Even students with ahigh level of self-concept who had clear goal orientation and high career maturity showed lowsatisfaction with their career-related education, indicating the need to review and improve thecurrent educational system. Similarly, students with low self-concept who failed to set cleargoals and develop career maturity also showed low career education satisfaction. Regardlessof the approach, there are areas that need to be improved to increase satisfaction. Thesefindings suggest the need to provide university students with more opportunities to develop astronger sense of self-concept, and to ensure that career education is closely integrated withthe development of goal orientation and career maturity. Further research is needed to explorenew approaches to enhancing university students' career development and satisfaction withcareer-related education.

Vocational teachers in school settings: career pathways and motivations

ABSTRACT Vocational programmes offered to school students form an essential segment of senior secondary education, providing opportunities for students to develop employability skills, complete their senior secondary certificate and gain credit towards a vocational qualification. While school systems are experiencing teacher shortages across the board, these are both acute and ongoing in vocational programmes in many countries and attracting and retaining vocational schoolteachers is a critical policy challenge. While career pathways, motivations and intentions, and job satisfaction for mainstream schoolteachers have been extensively studied there has been less research on vocational teachers, and very little on those teaching in a school setting. We sought to understand motivations for teaching, satisfaction and career pathways of teachers who teach Vocational Education and Training in schools (VET in schools) in Australia. This study employed structured interviews with nine VET teachers working within a secondary school setting. Self Determination Theory (Ryan & Deci, 2000b) was the analytical framework used to understand factors influencing their entry into teaching and engagement. We found commonalities with the research on attraction and retention into teaching more broadly, but identified additional specific factors shaping vocational teachers’ career journeys and motivation. We identify implications for policy and practice to support the attraction, retention and career satisfaction of VET in schools teachers.