Educational pursuits in career development: implications for individual stress

Purpose More employees are pursuing education for career growth, yet research on the emotional impact of engaging in education while working full time is limited. Applying conservation of resources theory, we examine how the pursuit of education to progress one’s career affects stress. Design/methodology/approach Using longitudinal survey data from working adults pursuing education, we statistically test how educational engagement impacts stress. Findings The effect of pursuing education on stress was mediated by the acquisition of new resources (resilience) but not by the protection against resource loss (psychological detachment from work). We find that work identity plays a moderating role in this relationship. Originality/value This study advances research on career development by examining the mechanisms through which simultaneous engagement in the complementary roles of work and education impact employee well-being.