8 in 10 Women Seek Jobs That 'Make a Positive Difference'

Nearly eight in 10 women are actively seeking employment where they can make a positive difference to the world, according to a new poll of 2,000 workers commissioned by British Gas to mark International Women in Engineering Day.

Purpose Over Pay

More than half (51%) of women would consider a lower salary for a role offering a strong sense of purpose. When evaluating a potential new position, 33% want a career reflecting their personal values, while three in 10 prioritise solid human connections in the workplace.

The modern dream job, as defined by respondents, also includes a short commute, a birthday off, friendly colleagues, and the chance to help others. Health plans (46%), mental health days (29%), and gym memberships (27%) are among the most sought-after perks.

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Career Progression and Representation

Almost a third (32%) of women seek roles with opportunities for progression, while 32% value human connection and 27% want a futureproof career. More than four in 10 (46%) of today's workforce are the first in their family to move into a completely different career from their parents, with over a fifth (22%) attributing this to better access to online information.

The research, conducted via OnePoll, also found that exactly a quarter of all polled said the opportunity to use hands-on, practical skills is one of the most appealing aspects of a role today.

Engineering and Gender Stereotypes

Amanda Harrison, group director of talent at British Gas, said: "This research really underlines what we're seeing first-hand – women want purposeful work where they can make a genuine difference, and engineering contributes to that. But we can't just hope more women choose the profession - as one of the UK's largest employers of engineers, we have a responsibility to actively make that happen."

British Gas is committed to ensuring 50% of their apprentices are female. The company was named in The Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers.

Nearly six in 10 (57%) of women would be keen to see people like themselves represented in a role before pursuing it. A further quarter of employed adults have been inspired to consider a career change after seeing someone else make the move online. Of these, 57% of women were influenced because those making changes appeared more fulfilled, and 40% thought online platforms made career changes look more achievable.

In fact, 48% of all respondents said social media has made it easier to discover careers they didn't even know existed. It also emerged that 38% of workers believe it is now more acceptable to change careers than in the past, with more than half (51%) agreeing people should feel free to pursue any job regardless of gender. However, 32% recognised there is still work to be done to challenge stereotypes around 'men's' and 'women's' jobs.

Apprenticeships Open Doors

Heidi Aylen, technical repair engineer at British Gas, said: "I came into engineering through the apprenticeship programme, and what struck me most was how balanced and supported everything felt. My training group was 50/50 men and women, our mentors were mixed, and I never once felt like being a woman was a barrier to succeeding. If you're considering engineering but worried it's 'not for people like me' – that's exactly why you should do it. Whether you're just starting out or making a career change, apprenticeships genuinely open doors. And the work itself is really rewarding - you're solving real problems and knowing you've made a genuine impact."