In today’s competitive job market, management students' expectations for work-life balance play a crucial role in shaping their career choices. This research aims to determine the work-life balance priorities of FEB UI Management students, focusing on what they seek in potential employers. In pursuit of finding the answer, the Research and Development division at MSS FEB UI surveyed FEB UI Management graduates and discovered interesting students' preferences regarding flexible work hours, remote work opportunities, and mental health support.
"After studying so hard, students have big dreams about their future careers. But what exactly do they expect from their future employers?"
Work-life balance is often mentioned as one of the key factors. This research tests the hypothesis that FEB UI Management students place high value on work-life balance and seeks to determine the significance of this factor in their career choices. The findings aim to provide a deeper understanding of what students expect from future employers and how these expectations reflect broader shifts in career priorities among the younger workforce.
Work-life balance is essential in achieving the psychological, emotional, and cognitive stability of employees, which promotes organizational effectiveness. It includes flexible working hours, remote work options, and policies promoting mental health and personal time. Over the past decade, work-life balance has emerged as a vital topic in conversations about the future of work, particularly for younger generations who prioritize personal well-being along with career achievements.
This research targets Management UI students and their career preferences, specifically looking at two key aspects: The significance of work-life balance in the job selection process and whether they place a higher value on work-life balance compared to salary when choosing their first job. The research aims to understand how these preferences reflect the values held by the students and the extent to which work-life balance influences their early career decisions. The research also looks at whether there is a change from the traditional career path that prioritizes salary and a fixed work structure to a more flexible and well-being career path.
The findings are particularly relevant for employers, as they offer insights into the evolving expectations of top talent. Companies that understand these preferences can align their workplace policies with the values of emerging workers, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship between employers and employees.
The survey's respondents were FEB UI Management students, divided into three batches of students, specifically the classes of 2022, 2023, and 2024. The distribution of the research questionnaires began in December 2024, of which 2.7% were from the class of 2022, 21.6% were from the class of 2023, and 75.7% were from the class of 2024.

The results show that the majority of students consider work-life balance to be crucial in various aspects. Almost 89,18% of respondents emphasized the significance of work-life balance in selecting a job, as well as in recognizing its importance for companies. Similarly, 89,18% of students acknowledged the role of work-life balance in their happiness at work. In contrast, only 78,36 % of students view work-life balance policies as a principal factor when taking job offers, which indicates that other influencing factors exist. It also found that a significant portion (85,4%) of students believe that companies should offer work-life balance to attract young talent, and 87,02% agreed on the importance of companies assisting employees in maintaining work-life balance over time.
