Survey Says: American Workers Are Stuck in a Rut

Rasmussen College launches interactive hub to help Americans find the perfect career

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Apr 15, 2014, 03:06 ET

MINNEAPOLIS, April 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Many Americans are unhappy at work. According to new research conducted on behalf of Rasmussen College, almost one in five Americans say they are dissatisfied with their job, partially because they have no room to grow. In fact, more than half of the 2,000 U.S. adults surveyed say they don't have significant growth opportunities in their current positions.

"Having a clear career path from the very beginning is critical so you don't end up stuck in a job without the right skill set or lacking in advancement opportunities," said Tamryn Hennessy, vice president career services at Rasmussen College. "Surprisingly, only 24 percent of those surveyed say they feel they're doing what they set out to do. That number rises to 39 percent for those with a graduate or professional degree. That's why Rasmussen College wanted to create a tool that helps people discover their strengths and interests and lays out a career path that's perfect for them."

The survey also highlighted potential reasons for attrition in the workplace. Almost two-thirds of the adults surveyed said they have considered quitting their job. Of those, 51 percent say they have thought about leaving because they don't get paid enough. Other reasons include a lack of advancement opportunities (31 percent), being unfulfilled (26 percent), too stressful (24 percent) and not using their education or skills (21 percent).

The Rasmussen College Career Hub, which launched in April 2014, is a free online resource designed to help people find a career that aligns with their goals, education, skills and interests. As people navigate the different elements of the hub, they are asked a number of questions about their abilities, experience and personal preferences including working environment, hours, tasks and salary. From there, people will discover what industries appeal to them.

"We know starting a career or leaving a job and starting a new one can be a nerve-wracking experience," said Hennessy. "When you are able to combine your skill set and passion with an opportunity in a growing industry, you are well on your way to a satisfying career. More than half of our survey respondents also told us doing something they love is just an important as their salary."

To learn more about the Rasmussen College Career Hub, and how it can help you find the perfect career, visit http://www.rasmussen.edu/resources/what-career-is-right-for-me/.

ABOUT THE RESEARCH:
From February 25to March 2, 2014, Vision Critical conducted an online survey of 2,003 randomly selected U.S adults who are currently employed and are also members of their American Community panel. The survey margin of error is +/- 2.2%. Quotas were put in place to ensure a sample representative of the entire working U.S. adult population in terms of age, gender and region.

ABOUT RASMUSSEN COLLEGE:
Rasmussen College is a regionally accredited private college and Public Benefit Corporation that is dedicated to changing lives through high-demand educational programs and public service. Rasmussen College offers Certificate and Diploma programs through Associate's and Bachelor's degrees online and across its 24 Midwest and Florida campuses in a supportive, student-centered and career-focused environment. Since 1900, Rasmussen College has been dedicated to being a primary contributor to the growth and development of the communities it serves. As a Public Benefit Corporation, Rasmussen College is committed to helping change lives through education and making a positive impact on society through public service and a variety of community-based initiatives. For more information about Rasmussen College, please visit www.Rasmussen.edu.