An investigation of intelligence and personality in relation to career satisfaction

This study examined intelligence and personality in relation to career and job satisfaction. Using a sample of 36 managers and 100 hourly employees of a utility company, the correlation between career satisfaction and intelligence was not significant for the total sample, but was significantly negative for hourly employees (r=−0.30, p<0.01), and significantly positive for managers (r=0.30, p<0.05). The latter two correlations were significantly different from each other (z=3.31, p<0.01). Similar results were found for intelligence and job satisfaction. Several personality traits were significantly related to career and job satisfaction, but only work drive incrementally predicted career satisfaction above intelligence for hourly employees. Results were discussed in terms of possible theoretical frameworks as well as needs for further research.