Exploring Employees’ Satisfaction with their Perceived Career Anchors: A Study from PTCL, Pakistan

Abstract

This qualitative inductive study explores the effects of career anchors on individuals' career selection decisions and their perceived satisfaction with their chosen careers at Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL). It investigates the factors that shape career anchors in Pakistan and explores the factors driving employees’ satisfaction with their career selection decisions. Doing so identifies factors that influence an individual’s decision to choose a particular career. A sample of 14 employees from the telecom company, PTCL, was selected from lower-, middle-, and top-level management. Qualitative data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews, followed by thematic coding and analysis using the Grounded Theory approach. This study identifies factors that help individuals select a career path, focusing on the factors affecting career choice. For the organization, it would be helpful in designing the reward system for employees and placement policies, thereby better fulfilling employees' needs and preferences. The findings would contribute to the existing limited literature on career selection and career planning in the Pakistani context.