A Third of Women Want a Career That Reflects Their Values, Poll Finds

A new poll of 2,000 workers reveals that a third of women (33%) want a career that reflects their values, while nearly eight in 10 (79%) are looking for a job where they can make a positive difference. The research, commissioned by British Gas to mark International Women in Engineering Day, highlights a significant shift in workplace priorities.

Women Willing to Trade Salary for Purpose

More than half of women (51%) would consider a lower salary for a job offering a strong sense of purpose. When evaluating new roles, three in 10 prioritise human connection in the workplace. The modern-day dream job also includes a short commute, your birthday off, friendly colleagues, and opportunities to help others.

Top Perks Sought by Today's Workforce

Health plans (46%), mental health days (29%), and gym memberships (27%) are among the most sought-after perks. Almost a third of women (32%) want a role with opportunities to progress, while 32% value human connection and 27% seek a futureproof career.

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Career Changes and Social Media Influence

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. Over a fifth (22%) attribute this to better access to online information. Social media has made it easier for 48% of respondents to discover careers they didn't know existed. Additionally, 38% believe it's now more acceptable to change careers than in the past, with 51% agreeing people should feel free to pursue any job regardless of gender.

Challenges and Stereotypes Remain

However, 32% recognise there is still work to be done to challenge stereotypes around 'men's' and 'women's' jobs. 57% of respondents want to see people like themselves represented in a role before pursuing it. British Gas is committed to ensuring 50% of their apprentices are female.

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. That means making sure there are visible, positive role models to inspire the next generation. Engineering needs diverse talent to solve the challenges ahead, and we need to build a pipeline of women who see themselves in this industry from the start.”

Heidi Aylen, technical repair engineer at British Gas, added: “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.”