Data from a 12-year longitudinal study highlights the career benefits of personality development during young adulthood. Kevin Hoff, Ph.D., assistant professor of industrial-organizational psychology at the University of Houston, found that young adults who increase their conscientiousness and emotional stability as they enter the workforce often achieve greater early-career success.
"The results showed that certain patterns of personality growth, beyond initial adolescent traits and abilities, predicted career outcomes," Hoff explains. These findings support interventions to foster personality-related skills in youth.
Hoff's research is the first to examine how personality changes predict a broad range of career outcomes over more than a decade of young adulthood.
This offers hope for adolescents facing personality challenges or dissatisfaction. "You're not stuck with your traits—positive changes can significantly impact your career," Hoff notes.
Hoff's team tracked two representative Icelandic youth samples for 12 years, from late adolescence (age 17) to young adulthood (age 29). Those showing growth in key traits fared better. Strongest effects were seen in conscientiousness (linked to career satisfaction), emotional stability (tied to income and satisfaction), and extraversion (related to job and career satisfaction).
To ensure robustness, Hoff used replication samples and data from three to five time points. "Adolescent traits also predict success, underscoring personality's long-term influence. These results emphasize personality development from childhood through young adulthood for career achievement," he concludes.
