Korn/Ferry Survey: Better Career Opportunities Await Today's Young Professionals
- Majority of Executives Would Recommend Their Professions to Their Children -
LOS ANGELES, February 15, 2007 – Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of executives said that better career opportunities are available to today’s young professionals compared to when they began their own careers, according to the latest Executive Quiz from Korn/Ferry International (NYSE:KFY), a premier global provider of talent management solutions.
When asked if they would recommend their profession to their children, three-quarters (75 percent) of executives indicated they either “definitely” or “probably” would. Additionally, 83 percent reported they had guided or will try to guide their children’s career paths to at least some extent, with one-third of those admitting guiding them to a great or very great extent.
“Today’s young professionals are met with improved career opportunities, however, they also face increasingly rigorous job requirements,” said Charles W.B. Wardell III, managing director and head of the Northeast U.S. region of Korn/Ferry. “In addition, many must contend with additional pressure from their Baby Boomer parents, who often try to dictate their children’s education and career paths.”
When asked how the work ethic of today’s young professionals compared to that of previous generations, the largest percentage of executives (49 percent) indicated that it was worse. Thirty-one percent said that the work ethic of today’s young professionals has not changed, and 19 percent said it has improved.
Lastly, the survey examined trends in advanced education among young professionals today. An overwhelming majority (89 percent) of executives stated they want to see their children obtain at least a master’s, doctoral or professional degree. However, a much smaller percentage (66 percent) of executives stated they intend to pay for these levels of continued education.
Methodology The Korn/Ferry International Executive Quiz is based on a global survey of executives registered within the firm’s online Executive Center, ekornferry.com. Respondents from more than 70 countries, representing a wide spectrum of industries and functional areas, participated in the most recent Executive Quiz between August and October 2006.
About Korn/Ferry International Korn/Ferry International, with more than 70 offices in 40 countries, is a premier global provider of talent management solutions. Based in Los Angeles, the firm delivers an array of solutions that help clients to identify, deploy, develop, retain and reward their talent. For more information on the Korn/Ferry International family of companies, visit www.kornferry.com.
