P-E fit, where does it come from? Antecedents and career selection consequences of P-E fit

This study examines the role of occupational exposure and network actors on individuals’ perception of P-E fit prior to organizational entry and the influence of perceptions of P-E fit on actual career selection decisions. The results indicate while prior exposure and the presence of friends, mentors and role models in an occupation all resulted in higher levels of perceived P-E fit with that occupation; the influence of role models was the strongest. Conditional logit results also indicated individuals were more likely to select career options with higher levels of perceived fit even when controlling for salary and other option attributes.