Is your job leaving you unfulfilled? You're not alone — many crave purpose in their professions but struggle to achieve it in today’s workplace.

Gallup's State of the Global Workplace report reveals that 62% of employees are either unengaged or actively disengaged — a trend often referred to as "quiet quitting." Additionally, a recent survey by Deloitte revealed that nearly 40% of Millennials and Generation Z employees do not feel personally fulfilled in their jobs.

The rise in toxic work culture adds to these challenges, with 20% of US workers leaving a job due to signs of toxicity. Such workplaces have negative mental, emotional, and physical effects on employees. 

In this blog, we will explore the factors that have contributed to increased employee dissatisfaction, identify the roadblocks that hinder fulfilling jobs, and discuss how individuals can leverage education as a foundation for a meaningful career.

Shifting Values in the Workplace

In recent years, workplace values have undergone a significant transformation, contributing to rising employee dissatisfaction. A major factor behind this shift is the tendency of companies to prioritize profits over the well-being of their employees. Instead of fostering a supportive environment, many businesses focus on cutting costs, viewing employees as mere financial figures than valuable contributors to their success.

Research shows that feeling valued directly impacts job performance. A Gallup study found that organizations with high employee engagement levels achieve 23% greater profitability and 17% greater productivity in sales. Conversely, when companies lack a framework grounded in virtue ethics, job satisfaction and employee engagement suffer. This neglect of workforce needs leads to declining productivity, which further impacts performance and results.

Prioritizing profit over people leads to widespread dissatisfaction, preventing employees from achieving fulfilling careers.

Roadblocks to Achieving a Fulfilling Career 

The shift toward a profit-driven approach has created roadblocks that prevent individuals from finding fulfillment in their careers. These challenges, rooted in organizational practices, significantly diminish employee satisfaction. Below are some of the most common roadblocks in today’s workplace. 

• Lack of alignment between personal values and the goals of the organization. When individuals feel their values do not align with company priorities, they struggle to find a sense of purpose in their role.

• Limited opportunities for skill development and growth. Without the chance to learn and progress, individuals may feel stagnant and unchallenged.

• Job insecurity and instability in today’s economy. Uncertainty surrounding job prospects and the fear of layoffs or downsizing can create a sense of stress and unease. This can overshadow any potential satisfaction from the work itself.

• Lack of morality and ethics in the workplace. When an organization lacks ethical leadership, it can be deeply disheartening for employees and lead to a loss of trust in leaders.

Using Education as the Foundation for a Career with Meaning 

Finding fulfillment in your job starts with making informed decisions about your education. This is why it is crucial to select an education that equips you with the necessary skills to pursue and flourish in a career with meaning. By choosing an educational path rooted in ethics, you can lay a solid foundation for a profession that not only leverages your abilities but also resonates with your values.

At the University of Dallas College of Business, we focus on three specific aspects of education to promote a purposeful career: virtue and ethics, Catholic social teaching, and career formation. 

Virtue and Ethics

We focus on teaching ethical and moral leadership principles in every course and believe that developing virtuous character is vital for success in the business world. By building a strong base in the liberal arts, UDallas graduates gain essential skills like critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving.

Catholic Social Teaching

At UDallas, we emphasize Catholic social teaching principles like the common good, solidarity, and respect for human dignity. These principles form the basis of moral leadership. Students are encouraged to embrace the foundational aspects of Catholic social teaching and understand the significance of social responsibility in their future professions.

Career Formation

Building a successful career requires mastering both technical and interpersonal skills. At UDallas, we emphasize the importance of both technical expertise and virtue formation, recognizing that success in the business world demands competence and character.

Your Meaningful Career Begins at UDallas

Are you ready to embark on your journey toward meaningful work? The University of Dallas College of Business offers programs that will equip you with the skills and values needed for a purposeful career. 

From business administration to cybersecurity to finance, our programs provide a foundation that integrates the development of essential skills, career formation, and immersive virtue formation, leaving graduates ready to tackle what comes next.

Explore our programs:

Learn more by downloading our guide, Cultivating Ethical Leadership: A Guide to UDallas’ College of Business, today.