Project Purpose
Why we're conducting this research
It’s fun to share stories about our first jobs, cringe-laughing about horrible first bosses or the thankless work we had to do while working in retail, in fast food, or at our neighborhood park district. Those first work experiences are a souvenir of the past that we reflect upon when we want to share a good laugh or to commiserate about life’s growing pains.
When we dig deeper, though, those formative work experiences can also offer core insights about who and where we currently want to be in our personal and professional lives – what drives us, connects us, and leads us to feel either fulfilled or forlorn in our daily life and our work.
Goals of this research
In this research project, we're currently exploring the types of domains in which people feel their first job experiences have had lasting impact. We're surveying people from across the globe about the most impactful experiences and insights gained in their first jobs, and are exploring the degree to which people report those experiences still resonate with them today.
Outcomes of this research
The outcomes of this research will (ideally!) be presented in academic conferences and journals, as well as in mainstream publications. Our goal is to gain a deeper understanding of this under-examined aspect of organizational behavior.
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Tell us about your first job experiences!
Participate in this research project and help us learn about insights people gain from their formative work experiences!