New research from Aegon’s Money:Mindshift reveals a major gap between people’s career ambitions and their lived experience. While more than half of workers believe a dream job is achievable, only 12% say they’ve reached it.
The study shows that while 54% believe a dream job is realistic and 58% say achieving it is important, most remain stuck. More than half (53%) have stayed in a job they didn’t enjoy, often because they feared financial instability or doubted their ability to make a change.
These findings feed into the latest episode of the Money:Mindshift podcast, featuring behavioural science expert Alice Hooper-Scott, which explores why money worries and self-doubt shape our career decisions more than we realise.
Dr. Tom Mathar, Head of Money:Mindshift, said:
“To earn an income is a basic foundation of financial wellbeing. Without it, there’s no ability to spend, save, or invest for the long term. Most of us don’t just want a job, though – we want a job we enjoy and can thrive in.
“This research shows that while the desire is there, the path often feels blocked. Some barriers are practical, but many are emotional – like the fear of starting over, applying for a new role, or finding that the next job is worse. Recognising those fears is valuable self‑awareness, and it suggests that courage may be the ingredient needed for change.
“Four in 10 staying in jobs they don’t enjoy believe that leaving would make life harder. That, too, is useful insight. It reminds us that ‘the job to love’ isn’t always the right ambition. Sometimes, the role that keeps life in balance – health, family, work, wellbeing and wealth – may be just as good an option.
“With Money:Mindshift, our aim is to help people make better trade‑offs between their financial and emotional needs today, tomorrow and beyond, so they can live a long and happy life. Self‑awareness of those needs is key to making the right decisions.”
Alice Hooper-Scott, Director of School of Life at Work, said:
“We often talk about ‘dream jobs’ as if they’re indulgent or unrealistic – but for many people, they’re really about autonomy, purpose and balance.
“What this research shows is that the barriers aren’t laziness or lack of ambition; they’re structural and emotional.
“A third of people cite lack of opportunities, while many others feel they don’t have the right skills or are unsure what they truly want. These feelings are incredibly common.
“What matters is giving people the tools and confidence to explore change in a way that feels safe and achievable. Honest conversations about money are a crucial part of that – even if those conversations seem so hard for so many.”
