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Abstract

This study takes a closer look at how adjustment relates to career satisfaction among young adults aged 18 to 30. It also considers the effects of academic discipline—specifically comparing those studying psychology to those in other fields— and gender. The research involved a sample of 200 students, using the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) and the Career Satisfaction Scale (CSS) to determine if adjustment could predict career satisfaction and to see if there were any differences based on academic discipline or gender. The results showed a very weak correlation between adjustment and career satisfaction (r = 0.025, p = 0.721), supporting the idea that adjustment isn't a strong predictor of how satisfied someone feels in their career. Interestingly, students majoring in psychology reported much higher career satisfaction than their peers in non-psychology fields (p < 0.001), suggesting that being aligned with one’s field of study can shape how one views their career. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in career satisfaction levels between male and female respondents (p = 0.977), indicating that gender doesn’t seem to play a role in early career satisfaction. In conclusion, while adjustment appears to have little impact on career satisfaction, factors like alignment with career goals and personal motivation likely have a greater influence. Future studies should look into other psychological factors and consider using longitudinal designs to deepen our understanding of what drives career satisfaction.