The majority of workers are considering leaving their jobs in search of more meaningful work, as growing numbers prioritise purpose over pay, a new report reveals.
A study by Tomorrow University, a Germany-based institution focused on impactful careers, finds that 70% of professionals rank purpose as very or extremely important in career choices, while 66% would leave their jobs for roles more aligned with their values.
The report, titled The Purpose Playbook: Bridging the Gap Between Career Success and Life Fulfilment, examines how lifelong education can help professionals navigate this shift.
The research shows that professionals are increasingly prioritising purpose and impact in their careers, with 52% reporting a shift in career priorities over the past five years. But while 55% say their job aligns with their sense of purpose, only 35% feel their current role has a positive impact on their mental health. It comes as jobs site Glassdoor reports that 65% of employees feel “stuck” in their current positions.
In Search of More from Careers
Dr Thomas Funke, co-founder and CEO of Tomorrow University, said most people yearned for jobs that were fulfilling.
“Our research shows that people want more from their careers, but it’s important to remember that purpose is a journey,” he said. “Almost 60% of those surveyed define ‘purpose’ as continuous learning and personal growth. It’s about committing to personal development and inner work.”
Dr Funke added that no one “knows exactly what the future of work will look like, but with 40% of job skills expected to change, one thing is clear: adaptability is essential to future-proof careers.
“Education plays a powerful role in this transition. The way we learn should equip professionals with the technological literacy and human skills to grow continuously, build fulfilling careers and, most importantly, make a positive impact on the world.”
Key Findings:
Pursuit of Purpose:
- 70.5% say purpose is very or extremely important in career choices.
- 58.4% define purpose as continuous learning and personal growth.
- 57.3% say working in a field that aligns with their values and passions is key.
- 40.8% believe purpose is about helping others or making a difference in people’s lives.
Driving Job Performance:
- Work-life balance is the top factor improving job performance (41.8%).
- Sense of purpose is the second most important factor (21.8%).
Employees want companies to help them align their purpose and careers through professional development in impactful fields (61.3%), financial support for further education (51.1%), greater autonomy (43.3%) and flexibility to work on socially impactful projects (40.6%).
The Mental Health Disconnect:
A total of 89.9% agree that working with a sense of purpose positively impacts their mental health.
Just 23.2% say their employer is “mostly supportive” of their mental health needs, while 21.7% report no support at all.
The report provides a roadmap for professionals looking to align their careers with their values. It explores leveraging education to develop new skills, prioritising wellbeing for long-term career success and turning purpose into action through meaningful work.
The study, conducted in partnership with data firm Prolific, surveyed 522 professionals across various industries, career stages, employment statuses and education levels in Europe.