by Shane Henson — June 6, 2012—A new nationwide study from nonprofit Net Impact examining work life and jobs with meaning found that many job seekers and employees desire to make a difference rather than just a steady, big paycheck. In particular, the report indicates that as the push toward sustainability has grown in recent years in America, so has many people’s desire to have jobs that allow them to help improve the environment in some way. This finding may provide an added impetus to companies already seeking or considering ways to make their facilities and products more sustainable.
The study, Net Impact’s Talent Report: What Workers Want in 2012, is a nationally representative sample of college-educated workers in three generations—Millennials, GenerationXers and Baby Boomers.
According to the report, two-thirds of workers and students said that “the potential to contribute to society” and “a job that will make the world a better place” is very important to them, with about one in four deeming this to be essential. In fact, most university students (65%) expect to be able to make some positive social or environmental difference through their work, the study found.
“For the first time, we have data that shows a direct connection between job satisfaction and making a difference at work,” said Net Impact CEO, Liz Maw. “Employees today don’t want to check their values at the door when they arrive at their jobs, and the ability to live and work with strong social meaning is clearly important to them.”
This seems to be the case regardless of a job seeker’s age. Despite current employment outlooks and a lack of real-world experience, graduating students still maintain a desire to work for and with purpose, even if this means a smaller paycheck, found the study. Just about half (45%) would take a 15% pay cut to “have a job that makes a social or environmental impact on the world.” Just as interesting, over a third (35%) said they would take a 15% pay cut to “work for a company committed to corporate and environmental sustainability.”
“Young people in college and grad school see making a social impact as a critical part of their career,” says Maw. “Even in a depressed job market, these resilient and optimistic students are leading with their values.”
