Investigating the Relationship between Career Change and Subjective Well-Being—Examples of MBA Graduates of a University in Northern Taiwan

• Main Authors: Chang, Yu-Hsuan, 張雨宣
• Other Authors: 蔡維奇
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2018
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/6z9b3z

碩士 === 國立政治大學 === 企業管理研究所(MBA學位學程) === 106 === The rise of positive psycology encourages people to pursue a happier life. According to the definition of happiness, it is a combination of pleasure and meaning. If people want to get more happiness at work, during the career change period, they should consistently pursue the pleasure and meaning of their career. According to the 2017 MBA Assessment Index pulished by The Economist, it is told that MBA is an achievement-oriented program. MBA graduates pay a great attention on package, promotion, company reputation, etc. because those objective career achievements are seemed become the important definition of MBA graduates’ success. This study conducts a semi-structured in-depth interview with 26 MBA graduates who have graduated more than 8 years. Based on Donald E. Super’s career development theory, this group of respondents is in the establishment stage. Besides, most MBA graduates have multiple roles such as parteners and parents. The purpose of this study is to understand how MBA graduates define the happiness of work, well-being and success? Do they feel successful and happy at their work and in their lives? In the process of career development, the main factor of career change tends to be the happiness of work or objective success? What are the roles of work-life balance, intimate relationships and social support in their lives? This study yields 7 conclusions: (1) Satisfied relationship is the key to success and well-being. (2) Wealth can bring happinesss because of the family-caring mission. (3) Sense of accomplishment is the main source of happiness of work. (4) More than 70% respondents feel happy in their life and work. However, self-defining successes are difficult to practice, so 50% respondents still do not feel successful. (5) In the later stage of career change, it is more inclined to pursue the meaning of work rather than the objective success. (6) Work-life balance becomes an important factor in the later stage of career change. (7) The development stage of the career tends to be irregular. “Work meaning” is the key to attract or retain talents. This study suggests that companies can enhance employee well-being and create work pleasure and work meaning through employee assistance programs and job design. And “happy employees” will become very valuable assets.