Dive Brief:
- Financial stability is often synonymous with success. The majority of IT workers identified not living paycheck to paycheck, not having debt and not worrying about money as definitions of success in a recent LinkedIn and Harris Poll of 2,000 working U.S. professionals.
- These workers also enjoy speaking about their careers and successes with peers — more so than healthcare or education workers. Just over half of IT and telecom workers said they feel empowered and 64% said they felt the most optimistic during these discussions.
- In the general professional sphere, the perceived "magic age" for success is also changing. The majority of millennials (58%) believe ages 30-45 are the prime time for career success, while 57% of older Baby Boomers say "peak success" occurred later in life, according to the report.
Dive Insight:
While the stereotypical tech workplace often conjures images of modern campuses with a wide variety of amenities, such as Wi-Fi-connected treehouses, the reality for most tech workers is perhaps not so glamorous.
Nevertheless, tech workers often benefit from flexible scheduling, working remotely or operating as a freelancer or contractor — and all while raking in some of the best salaries in the country.
As generations shift in the workforce, employers need to keep changing norms in mind. For example, right now 58% of millennial women view career advancement as an integral part of success — a percentage higher than other generations. About one-third of women ages 35-50 and less than 27% of women ages 51-69 shared the same view.
Norms for top career goals have also changed between genders. More than 40% of women prioritize raises or promotions, compared to 36% of men.
But to reduce turnover and improve loyalty and productivity, a happy workforce is essential. Ensuring financial stability, room for advancement — personally and professionally — and some degree of autonomy can translate to more satisfied employees
