Fewer women than men in the United States would choose the same career path if they started over, according to new research from Perceptyx’s Center for Workforce Transformation.
The study, which surveyed 8,423 workers across the U.S. and Europe, found that 62 per cent of American men would pick the same career again, while only 56 per cent of women said the same. Researchers linked this difference to a set of ten attributes that make a career fulfilling, including career pride, identity, career-life integration, stability, purpose, value alignment, autonomy, connectedness, growth and development, and organizational satisfaction.
Men were more likely than women to say they have at least eight of these attributes. Among male respondents, 31 per cent reached that number, while only 28 per cent of women did. Men also scored higher on each individual attribute, with stability and identity standing out as key factors in which they surpassed women.
“Achieving real career fulfillment isn’t about excelling in just one area,” said Emily Killham, senior director and head of the Center for Workforce Transformation at Perceptyx. “It requires alignment across personal, professional, and organizational dimensions. In short, you need a little bit of a lot of things to feel fulfilled by your career.”
According to the study, career fulfillment matters both for employees and employers. Workers who have at least eight attributes were more likely to report satisfaction with life, improving physical and mental health, and increased productivity and quality of work. In contrast, those with two or fewer attributes were less likely to report these positive outcomes.
The survey also found generational differences. About 20 per cent of Generation Z workers reported having eight attributes, while more than 35 per cent of Baby Boomers did. Younger workers said they most need career-life integration to reduce stress, while older generations placed more importance on attributes like organizational satisfaction and value alignment.
“This study takes a broad look at how men and women compare across all aspects of their career,” said Killham. “Interestingly, we found that men and women need the same things in order to feel fulfilled, but women are less likely to feel they’ve achieved them.”
The findings, based on surveys fielded to identify the attributes of a fulfilling career and then measure their outcomes, appear in the report “A Formula for Fulfilling Work: The 10 Attributes that Drive Personal and Organizational Impact,” the researchers said.
10 essential attributes for a fulfilling career
Career pride: Feeling proud of professional achievements.
Identity: Seeing one’s career as central to personal identity and life decisions.
Career-life integration: Successfully balancing career demands with personal life.
Stability: Having financial security and job stability.
Purpose: Finding meaning in work and contributing to something larger.
Value alignment: Feeling that personal values align with the organization’s values.
Autonomy: Having control over work and decision-making.
Connectedness: Building strong relationships with colleagues and feeling a sense of belonging.
Growth and development: Opportunities to learn, grow, and advance in one’s career.
Organizational satisfaction: Being satisfied with the workplace environment and culture.
