Finding Passion and Purpose: A Study of How Wharton Students View Work and Life

What does it mean to lead a meaningful life and find work that is congruent with your values? In an increasingly global and competitive talent marketplace, how do companies reduce attrition and improve performance by providing experiences that are both attractive to applicants and fulfilling to workers over the course of their careers? My research proposal involves a study of how companies create environments to attract and retain talent, with a focus on the priorities of Wharton students and how they choose internships and careers post-graduation. Inspired by a longitudinal study conducted by the Wharton Work/Life Integration Project, this report uses a literature review, interviews, quantitative data analysis, and a case study to understand how Wharton students’ values change over time periods (between undergrads in 1992 and 2012) and across educational levels (between current undergrads and MBAs).