Social science majors place the highest overall importance on attaining a balanced lifestyle. They are more likely than the average respondent to emphasize having fun at work, flexible hours and extra vacations. Kay Nelson, coordinator for the UCD Internship and Career Center, also emphasized that students want to find a positive symmetry between their professional and personal lives. It's a very positive trend. In terms of attractive qualities in a first employer, undergraduate students cited good future references, inspiring colleagues and competitive compensation.
Male students tend to give priority to competitive compensation.
Women prefer that their first employers offer a variety of assignments, international career opportunities and a chance to positively impact society. While 36 percent of respondents were unsure about how long they expected to stay with their first employer, most students can anticipate working for several employers throughout their career. In my generation, people averaged about six jobs per career. Currently, it's about eight and is increasing in number. To me, that's a positive thing.