Major and Career Choices
Facts
Of ASU students surveyed:
- 31.8% reported that career-related issues had been traumatic or very difficult to handle in the past 12 months.
Sources: American College Health Association. American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment and Supplemental Questions. Arizona State University Spring 2018. Baltimore: American College Health Association; Spring 2018 (n=1,304)
Your major and career choices influence your well-being. It is important to your wellness to aim for a career that satisfies your interests, builds on your strengths and allows you the opportunity to learn and grow.
Studies show that job satisfaction:
- Positively influences health status and health satisfaction.
- Reduces the number of medical visits, hospital stays and sick leave taken.
- Improves mental health (including anxiety, burnout, depression, self-esteem and general mental health).
- Improves productivity.
A recent study found that job satisfaction in the first 20 years of your work-life can have a cumulative effect on your health, particularly your mental health, when you enter your 40’s. That might seem a long time from now for some students, but it is not too early to discover your passion and find work that you enjoy doing.
Fischer, J. & Sousa-Poza, A. (December 2007). Does job satisfaction improve the health of workers? New evidence using panel data and objective measures of health. IZA Discussion Papers, No. 3256, 2007. Retrieved from http://ftp.iza.org/dp3256.pdf .
Grabmeier, J. (August 22, 2016). Lousy jobs hurt your health by the time you’re in your 40s. Early job satisfaction has strongest impact on mental health. The Ohio State University News Room. Retrieved from https://news.osu.edu/news/2016/08/22/lousy-jobs/ .
Hassard, J., Teoh, K. & Cox, T. (March 2016). Job satisfaction: evidence for impact on reducing psychosocial risks. European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. Retrieved from https://oshwiki.eu/wiki/Job_satisfaction:_evidence_for_impact_on_reducing_psychosocial_risks#cite_note-seventytwo-50.
Are you uncertain about your major or career choice? ASU's Career and Professional Development Services can help you find your path.
Career and Professional Development Services offers students and alumni assistance with finding the right career direction through Major and Career Exploration.
Most students change their major in college at least once. Me3 is an app available to ASU students to help you explore now to get a head start on planning for your future, and discover what you can do to make it happen.
Do your fellow students express concern about their future career? Career and Professional Development Services can help you find your path.
Career and Professional Development Services also offers students and alumni assistance with finding the right career direction through Major and Career Exploration.
ASU Career Services offers students and alumni assistance with finding the right career direction through Major and Career Exploration.
Most students change their major in college at least once. Me3 is an app available to ASU students to help you explore now to get a head start on planning for your future, and discover what you can do to make it happen.