The Importance of Meaningful Work

Michaelson, C. (2009). The importance of meaningful work. Retrieved February 20, 2010 from: http://sloanreview.mit.edu/the-magazine/files/saleable-pdfs/51202.pdf.

This article, which was published by MIT’s Sloan Management Review, is a brief discussion about the author’s findings he published in a previous article regarding business student’s job plans compared to what the same students consider to the most socially responsible and/or most enjoyable jobs. Based on his findings, which he states is a teaching exercise rather than a scientific study, there is a disconnect between the two. This article is important for students read because they should try to find a balance between what career paths are seeking and what careers they would find to be the most meaningful. It is also important for managers and those responsible for recruitment to understand the concept of ‘meaningful work’ so they can factor this into their recruitment efforts and design jobs that are conducive to recruitment and retention of this generation of employees.