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By: FEDweek StaffA poll of more than 800 people in the 18-29 age range has found a low level of interest in working for government as well as a low interest in one of its career selling points, the chance to make an impact on society.
The survey by Axios and Generation Lab comes as the government’s relatively low percentage of under-30 workers in comparison with the overall labor force continues to draw concern about the lack of a pipeline to fill positions as older employees retire.
Asked which type of employer where they want to spend the bulk of their career, only 14 percent listed government or nonprofits, compared with 31 percent preferring a large company, 27 percent preferring a medium-sized company and 28 percent preferring a small business or start-up.
Similarly, only 8 percent listed “societal impact” as what they want to “maximize the most as you grow into a career” while 49 percent said personal fulfillment and happiness, 25 percent said wealth and influence and 18 percent said time with family.
“Dependable jobs with high earning potential (doctor, engineer) are career goals for many, but careers with high levels of personal autonomy (business person, artist) also rank highly,” it said.
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