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IMC Study: Family and Career – Young People Want Both

ResearchUnternehmensführung und Digitales ManagementDiversity
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Current student study shows: balancing family and career remains a challenge, particularly for women

As part of an online survey (CAWI) conducted by the Business Administration and Digital Management degree programme at IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems (IMC Krems), approximately 200 young adults in Austria were surveyed during the summer semester. The study focused on the importance that the younger generation places on family and career, and on how successfully these two areas of life can be reconciled. The survey was carried out within the framework of the Marketing Research course led by Dr Cordula Cerha.

The findings reveal a nuanced picture rather than a clear either-or choice: 40% of respondents consider family and career to be equally important. While 32% prioritise family, 28% place career first. Men are more likely than women to prioritise their careers, whereas respondents living in rural areas are significantly more likely to place family above career compared with those in urban regions.
 

Family or Career? Young Adults in Austria Want Both: A study conducted by students at IMC Krems shows that young adults in Austria aspire to have both a family and a successful career. However, balancing the two remains a key challenge.

Family or Career? Young Adults in Austria Want Both

A study conducted by students at IMC Krems shows that young adults in Austria aspire to have both a family and a successful career. However, balancing the two remains a key challenge.

Work–Life Balance Remains a Major Challenge

At the same time, respondents perceive balancing family life and professional commitments as demanding. Only 8% completely agree that raising children and pursuing a career can be successfully combined. Nearly two-thirds identify traditional gender roles as a major obstacle. More than half would consider adapting their own career development plans in favour of starting a family; however, only 41% would be somewhat or very willing to accept a reduction in salary.

Despite these concerns, the desire to have children remains strong. More than 80% of respondents can envisage having children: 33% are certain they want children, while a further 48% would do so only if key conditions such as stable employment, suitable housing, and financial security are in place. Only 8% categorically rule out having children. The results highlight that, for many young people, starting a family is closely linked to reliability, stability, and long-term planning certainty.

Career Disadvantages Are Expected Primarily for Women

Respondents expressed particularly clear views regarding the impact of parenthood on career development. Seventy-two per cent believe that having children negatively affects women’s career prospects. In contrast, parenthood is largely viewed as career-neutral for men: 57% see no impact on men’s professional advancement. This perception is consistent across both urban and rural areas, with negative effects on women’s careers widely recognised regardless of place of residence.

Personal experiences within respondents’ social circles also shape perceptions. Forty-six per cent consider role models to be very important, and 51% report having a personal role model. However, negative examples appear to be even more influential: 58% know of a discouraging experience within their own environment, with women reporting such experiences more frequently than men.

The study therefore identifies clear areas for improving the compatibility of family life and professional careers. Lack of time and financial insecurity are cited as the greatest obstacles. According to respondents, the most effective measures would be flexible working hours, a family-friendly corporate culture, and home-working arrangements. Balancing family and career is therefore not viewed solely as a private matter, but as a social and economic challenge that is significantly influenced by working conditions, societal role models, and financial security.

Despite the challenges that remain, a large proportion of respondents are cautiously optimistic about the future. Forty-seven per cent expect the compatibility of family life and career opportunities in Austria to improve over the next ten years. One-third anticipate no significant change, while one-fifth expect the situation to deteriorate.

 

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