A career with a heart: exploring occupational regret

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of career regret. It examines processes that give rise to it including social comparison, social influences on career choice and career satisfaction and explores its association with occupational commitment and intention to quit the profession. Design/methodology/approach Hypotheses were tested among 559 British cardiac physiologists, using an online survey and structural equation modelling. Findings Research propositions were supported; social influences and social comparison are both associated with career regret. Direct and indirect pathways were found between career regret, occupational commitment and intention to quit the profession. Research limitations/implications The paper provides a starting point for future career regret research using a range of methods. Practical implications Careers advisers both at the point of career choice and within organisations should encourage realistic occupation previews. Managers should become aware of career regret and help to mitigate its effects – for example, facilitating job crafting or reframing of experiences. Originality/value This paper is one of the first to investigate career choice regret and its associated psychological mechanisms.