CardRates.com recently conducted a survey of 3,000 workers, asking them a straightforward question: "Do you loathe your job?"
It turns out that over 1 in 3 (38%) workers do. That’s a staggering 59 million people dragging themselves to jobs they despise each day. In Virginia, 31% of the workforce loathe their jobs, which equates to a whopping 1,336,546 people!
But it’s not all doom and gloom everywhere. Iowans seem to have cracked the code to workplace happiness, with only 11% admitting they loathe their work. Contrast that with Mississippi and Nevada, where a whopping 56% of the workforce is unhappy.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the survey found that a mere 14% are working in the jobs they dreamt of about as children. The rest, a disillusioned 86%, cited the following obstacles to their dream careers:
- Financial limitations: 35%
- Lack of opportunities: 34%
- Family commitments: 22%
- Academic challenges: 7%
- Market demand: 2%
Despite these obstacles, many have not yet given up hope. Nearly two-thirds regularly mull over the idea of switching careers to chase those long-forgotten dreams. And what are these elusive dream jobs? The survey respondents painted a picture of youthful ambition:
1. Doctor
2. Teacher
3. Musician
4. Athlete
5. Veterinarian
6. Actor/Actress
7. Chef
8. Entrepreneur
9. Astronaut
10. Fighter Pilot
11. Lawyer
12. Architect
13. Writer/Author
14. Dancer
15. Scientist
16. Fashion Designer
17. Police Officer
18. Firefighter
19. Engineer
"Our survey highlights the significant role financial stability plays in career choices. Good financial planning and staying relatively debt-free can give people a better chance at pursuing their dream careers. By managing finances wisely, people can afford to take the risks necessary to follow their passions, ultimately leading to greater job satisfaction and personal fulfillment”, says Jon McDonald, senior editor at CardRates.com.
