Occupational Regret: The consequences of poor occupational choice among professional workers

Research has found that the career is one of the life domains about which individuals have the greatest regret. Despite this, there has been very little research on career-related regret. This paper develops and tests a conceptual model within which to study occupational regret and presents a nomological framework. Social comparison is examined as an antecedent, as well as the influence of ‘others’ in individuals’ occupational choice. Affective and continuance occupational commitment, and intention to quit the profession, are included as consequences of this type of regret, and the mediating role of career satisfaction is considered. A measure for occupational regret is also proposed in this paper. Analysis of data from 559 professional cardiac physiologists supports a number of the hypotheses derived from the model. We conclude by arguing that the concept of occupational regret deserves more attention in careers research.