Preferences and expectations about work among young people in the metropolitan area of Bucaramanga (Colombia) after the COVID-19 pandemic
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The economic crisis generated by the COVID-19 pandemic destroyed hundreds of millions of jobs worldwide, making the employment scenario even more precarious for young people. It also represented an opportunity to cherish the opportunity of teleworking, flexibility, and autonomy at work. This shared experience may contribute to framing young people's preferences and work expectations when starting their careers. This article aimed to test hypotheses to provide knowledge regarding these possible reconfigurations.
Based on cluster analysis, among other analyses, of a cross-sectional survey involving 300 young people, a study was carried out on the significance of work among young people in the Colombian metropolis of Bucaramanga. The main findings suggest that there is a majority sector that gives their current job a good rating, values work as central to their lives and prefers a job based on pay and stability. This contrasts with other studies that show a decline in the centrality of work in people's lives and a clear preference for meaningful jobs with more flexibility and autonomy.
- Meaning of work
- Youth
- COVID-19
- Post-pandemic
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Accepted 2025-04-07
Published 2025-05-07
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Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente, Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara
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