A new survey from OnePoll found that 56% of Americans hope to improve their professional life in 2023 as a resolution.
As a result, 50% of survey participants reported having professional New Year’s resolutions such as getting a promotion, finding a new job, or returning to school.
The survey, commissioned by Colorado State University (CSU) Global, asked 2,000 Americans about their career satisfaction and work-life balance. The results showed that nearly a quarter (22%) of respondents are unsatisfied with their professional life — especially millennials. Of the millennial generation, 51% stated that they feel behind on their professional goals.
As a result, more than one in five (22%) Americans have updated their resumes ahead of the New Year.
“With a changing workforce, we may see more people looking to set goals next year to advance their professional lives, whether that is continuing their education, earning a promotion, or pivoting career paths,” explained Pamela Toney, president of CSU Global.
Over the past year, younger Americans appear to have become disillusioned with the current business landscape. As a result, “quiet quitting,” or achieving the bare minimum to maintain employment, has become popular among over half of all U.S. workers — especially those in Gen Z, according to the findings of a Gallup study.
One Deloitte study found that 84% of American workers had experienced job-related burnout. Katherine Cullen, a New York City psychotherapist, wrote in Psychology Today: “Many quiet quitters claim that forgoing the extra mile(s) at their jobs is a means of offsetting or managing this burnout.”
However, according to Cullen, who is a licensed master social worker, quiet quitting may actually contribute to work dissatisfaction.
“Less effort, less engagement, and lower job satisfaction could leave some workers feeling like the majority of their days are futile, meaningless, and boring,” she continued.
Along with disengagement, many workers are feeling burnout due to a shrinking labor force. Fox Business reported that COVID-19 shutdowns caused many within the boomer population to retire early, leaving younger, less-experienced workers to fill the vacant positions.
However, OnePoll reports that Gen Z may be rising to the challenge of a strained labor market. Nearly one-third of the survey’s young participants intend to grow their skillset and further their education within the coming year (both 29%).