Effects of gender and cultural differences in career alignment and career satisfaction in the United States and Japan.

Abstract

This survey research investigated (a) the effects of gender and cultural differences on the levels of career alignment, (b) the effects of gender and cultural differences on the levels of career satisfaction, and (c) the relationship between career alignment and career satisfaction. Participants were 149 alumni who graduated from a U.S. state university and a Japanese private university. Participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire that measures their levels of career alignment and career satisfaction. Results indicated that only culture has a significant impact on participants' levels of career alignment and career satisfaction. Japanese showed significantly lower levels of career alignment and career satisfaction. Women and men did not show different levels of career alignment and career satisfaction. Also, the result revealed that there is a strong positive relationship between the levels of career alignment and career satisfaction. Implications, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.