Resetting Expectations

There is no better time to enter the workforce than in a recession. Economic instability forces us to recalibrate our expectations about the future and be more inquisitive about where real value lies. These are tremendous outlooks for young people to adopt, which helps to explain why recessionary environments increase job satisfaction among new workers across the board. A study by Emily Bianchi of Goizueta Business School showed that graduating amid average conditions vs. the best economic conditions causes a 10% increase in job satisfaction. Graduating in the worst vs. the best economic conditions correlates with a 25% increase. With greater job satisfaction comes more motivation in the workplace, leading to increased productivity and higher pay.

78

Effect of Graduating in the Worst vs. the Best Economic Conditions

Source: “The Bright Side of Bad Times: The Affective Advantages of Entering the Workforce in a Recession,” Bianchi, October 2013.