Personal values and career‐related preferences among young adults

ObjectiveThe present study investigated personal values underlying career‐related preferences among young adults deliberating on their career choice. As a fundamental component of one's identity, personal values can offer valuable insights into how individuals prioritize their career‐related preferences.MethodWe employed two complementary approaches: variable‐centered and person‐centered, using a sample of 636 young adults (69.5% women; Mage = 21.9, SD = 2.12).ResultsUsing a variable‐centered approach, we identified 14 value‐expressive career‐related preferences, demonstrating that individuals are less willing to compromise on these preferences than on non value‐expressive preferences. Using a person‐centered approach, we applied latent profile analysis to identify four groups of young adults with distinct value profiles: (1) growth‐focus (n = 212; 33.3%), (2) protection‐focus (n = 206; 32.4%), (3) self‐focus (n = 122; 19.2%), and (4) social‐focus (n = 96; 15.1%). Importantly, the four profiles varied in 18 of 31 career‐related preferences, revealing the composition of values underlying these career preferences. Fourteen of these preferences were identified as value‐expressive in a variable‐centered approach.ConclusionThe two complementary approaches employed in the present study introduce a fine‐grained understanding of the value‐expressiveness of career‐related preferences.