In order to perform well at work, employees should strive to set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Reasonable, and Timely) goals.
[6] Research confirms that when individuals are gainfully employed, as characterized by a safe environment, purpose derived from work, engagement, etc., their quality of and satisfaction with life increases.
Vocational counselors work with individuals who are considering new careers not only to secure employment for them, but also to ensure organizational fit and job satisfaction.
[1] Gainful employment, when approached from a psychological perspective has been shown to have relevant clinical and real world applications.
Individuals with traumatic brain injuries demonstrate greater psychological well-being and perceived quality of life if gainfully employed.
Similar findings argue that gainful employment may function to provide a buffer against depression and anxiety in individuals with traumatic brain injury.
Gainful employment significantly reduces the social stigma shown by adults towards a fictional person coping with schizophrenia.
These findings suggest that gainful employment has internal, clinical benefits for the individual as well as external, real-world benefits on how others perceive individuals [12] Major empirical findings indicate that if people have overall positive experiences at work, their overall job satisfaction will be higher even if their overall life satisfaction may not be high.
Additionally, quality of life is in part defined by social utility, of which a large consideration is an individual's ability to make meaningful contributions to society through gainful employment.
[14] These findings argue in favor of gainful employment and provide evidence for the importance of job fit to the good life and overall health.
A study assessed outlook based on participants’ initial happiness, perspective on employment, and ability to make meaning out of their work.
In October 2010, the Barack Obama administration designed a set of rules to provide aid for educational institutions.
They expect this funding to protect students from inappropriate recruiting practices and increase information about the quality and effectiveness of college and training programs.
[19] College eligibility for federal aid in some circumstances depends on a showing that the educational program prepares students for "gainful employment in a recognized occupation."
A Gainful Employment Rule proposed by the Obama administration in 2010 sought to establish measures of student loan debt and graduates earnings that would determine ongoing eligibility for government aid.
[21] While unemployment rates continue to be a significant problem in terms of elevated overall percentages of the general population,[22] positive psychologists would argue that the lack of gainfully employed individuals is also a pressing concern that deserves attention.