How does perceived social support shape career ambitions, professional goal attainment, and personal development trajectories? Social support is defined as the assistance provided to individuals by others, including emotional, informational, instrumental, appraisal, and companionate resources. This assistance can help them cope with challenges, develop new skills, and achieve goals, thereby affecting their future prospects in various domains such as education, work, family, and community engagement. Perceived social support refers to an individual's perception of how much they are receiving from others and can be measured through questionnaires and self-reports. Career aspirations are the hopes, desires, and intentions related to future job roles, positions, tasks, and organizations. Professional goal attainment involves achieving specific milestones such as promotions, recognition, rewards, and advancement within a chosen field. Personal development trajectories encompass long-term changes in identity, behavior, mindset, values, and beliefs that occur throughout life.
Perceived social support has been found to influence career ambitions positively in many studies.
A survey conducted among college students revealed that those who felt supported by friends, family, teachers, and mentors were more likely to pursue ambitious career paths compared to those who did not feel supported. Another study showed that women who received greater emotional and instrumental support from spouses had higher career aspirations than those who did not receive such support. This finding was replicated in a different population of working mothers who reported increased motivation for career growth after having social support from partners, friends, and colleagues. Similarly, perceived support from supervisors or coworkers has been linked to greater professional goal attainment, including higher job performance ratings, promotions, and salary increases. In addition, individuals with stronger social networks have been shown to achieve personal development goals such as personal growth and improved well-being over time.
Some research suggests that perceived social support may also negatively affect career ambitions and outcomes.
A longitudinal study found that early childhood experiences of parental support were associated with lower educational achievement, suggesting that the quality of support may be more important than its quantity. Other factors, such as cultural norms or gender roles, can also shape how social support is interpreted and used to achieve career goals.
Women may face expectations to prioritize caregiving responsibilities over work, leading to reduced opportunities for advancement despite receiving high levels of support from others.
Social support can exacerbate existing inequalities, particularly among marginalized groups, who may not have access to the same resources or benefits as their counterparts.
Perceived social support can play an essential role in shaping individual career ambitions, professional goal attainment, and personal development trajectories. The type, quality, and context of this support are critical considerations that should be explored further. Understanding these dynamics can inform policies, programs, and interventions aimed at improving workforce participation, reducing inequality, and fostering lifelong learning and growth.
How does perceived social support shape career ambitions, professional goal attainment, and personal development trajectories?
People who feel supported by others are more likely to set ambitious goals for their careers and themselves as individuals. Social support is defined as positive interactions with others that enhance an individual's well-being. When people feel encouraged, they become more confident and willing to take risks towards achieving professional success. Studies have shown that those who receive high levels of social support have better job performance, greater career satisfaction, and higher levels of self-esteem.