Quarter life crisis hits the UK?
Young people between the ages of 25-35 are in danger of being
caught in a career trap and are leaving their jobs in pursuit of
more fulfilling work. Debt, difficulties in combining work with
their wider life ambitions and employers who fail to listen are
cited as key reasons, according to this Common Purpose research.
The report, Searching for Something, shows that the danger age when
employers can lose their most talented young employees is 30.
The research reveals that ambitious young people feel trapped at
work, with nearly half (48 per cent) admitting they feel stuck in
their current jobs. Lack of hard cash is blamed by 56 per cent of
high fliers, who stay put to pay off debts.
While the majority of talented young people want purpose
from their work as well as reward, it appears the reality doesn't
match the dreams.
- Nearly nine out of 10 (87%) are seeking careers that fulfill
their potential at work as well as add purpose to their lives, yet
59% admit their job doesn't fulfill their wider life
ambitions.
- While 74% are happy with their lives in general, just 57% can
say this about their careers.
- This quarter-life crisis is a reality for 83% of respondents,
with most citing 30 as the age when this happens.
Employers need to act quickly to avoid losing their
young high performers.
- Over eight out of 10 (82%) believe that organisations risk
losing their high fliers through failing to listen to their life
ambitions as well as their career ambitions.
- As a result, over half (57%) admit they are looking for a new
job right now and over a quarter hope to change jobs within the
year.
Other priorities for young people include diversity, community
involvement and having positive role models to learn from and guide
them through the early stages of their careers.
"These findings are a warning shot across the bows for
employers. Emerging leaders want to make a good living, but they
also want to make a difference. Employers who invest time in
providing opportunities for their fast trackers to explore how
society works and get engaged in the wider world will hang on to
their talent. Those who don't and who force young managers to
choose between work and making a difference won't."
Julia Middleton, CEO and founder of Common
Purpose
