In recent years, there’s been a trend towards following our passions and doing work we love. At least, we hear a lot about finding ways to get paid to do work that we like. However, that trend might be on the verge of a chance, if a recent survey is any indication.
College students look for job stability
Adecco Staffing USA recent released the results of its recent ‘Way to Work’ survey, and the findings are that many college students are more interested in stability than they feel a passion for their work.
The survey indicates that 70 percent of the college-age respondents are more interested in finding a stable job than they are interested in whether or not they feel passionate about what they are doing.
Not only that, but the aspiration that received the greatest interest in the service was to be financially stable in the next 10 years (31 percent of respondents). Landing a dream job in the next 10 years was the second-greatest aspiration, with 28 percent of respondents hoping for this outcome.
This is an interesting development when you consider that, for a number of years, we’ve been steeped in messages about following passions and creating our own dream jobs. At least, I’ve been steeped in that rhetoric as a personal finance freelancer who is regularly exposed to people trying to follow their dreams and create their own jobs.
However, as many college students near the end of their education, it appears that many are less concerned about how much they love their work, and more concerned about whether or not they will have a job that will lead them to financial stability.
What are your career priorities?
This is a struggle that many of us face in our own lives. It’s hard to put a price on job stability. In some cases, it makes sense to stick with a stable job for longer because it does offer something known. You know how much you will be paid each month.
On top of that, a stable job often offers other benefits, like subsidised health insurance and an employer match for your retirement plan. I know that things have been a little easier since my husband got a more stable job. Having that knowledge of when he will be paid, along with the fact that he has benefits, has provided a little more certainty in our lives — and eased our cash flow considerably.
My husband is fortunate, though. He enjoys teaching and working with college students, so he has a great passion for his job, and the stability that comes with his job is a bonus. But if he had to choose between passion and stability?
In the past, both my husband and I have chosen stability over passion in our work. We’ve both made the decision to choose the safer route in the name of shoring up the finances and making sure the bills are paid.
It’s important to understand the choices you make, and to carefully consider what you are willing to do. If I didn’t have a family, I might choose more passion over stability. But sometimes, the things we do inform our choices and change our priorities.
