A survey, conducted last year at the Ernst & Young International Intern Leadership Conference, showed that 50% rate flexibility in planning a career around major life events as the most important element in a happy existence.

That same proportion would work even if they had enough money to stay at home. Intellectual stimulation and learning, as well as a sense of social contact and camaraderie, would make them want to go to work.

Almost two-thirds of those asked to take part in the poll say that they aim to become millionaires. Three out of ten hope to achieve this goal by age 40.

"Young people entering the workforce today seem very confident about their abilities to succeed in their careers," said E&Y's James Freer. "But at the same time, they are coming to their jobs with their priorities focused on how best to manage their workloads and still spend quality time with their families and friends." Three quarters said that they expect to have a better quality of life than their parents.

The questions were asked of the nearly 900 Ernst & Young interns from 22 countries around the world at the firm's fifth annual international intern conference in Florida, from August 2-5, 2001.

Source: AccountingWEB, September 5, 2001

Note: While the survey was taken before the accelerated economic decline attributed to the devastating events of September 11, 2001 and its aftermath, from all reports, it is likely that those events have made people more determined to give high priority to their personal lives.