Young Adults Defining ‘Success’ by Flexibility and Autonomy, Not Corporate Ladder

Young adults aged 18 to 34 are reimagining what it means to succeed, placing greater emphasis on stability and fulfillment than on titles or wealth, according to Citizens Financial Group Inc.’s Citizens’ Next Gen: Future of Success Survey. The findings show a generation redefining prosperity in response to economic uncertainty and changing workplace norms.

More than half of respondents (57%) said money affected their mental health, while only about one-quarter (26%) aspired to climb the corporate ladder and fewer than 40% believed they will be more successful than their parents.

Financial strain extended beyond daily expenses. Other research underscored this pressure—nearly half (46%) of surveyed Generation Z workers reported tapping into their retirement savings, with 42% doing so to pay down debt, according to a separate study by Payroll Integrations and Dynata.

“Young adults are clearly expressing their desire for stability, independence and balance, yet many feel these aspirations are increasingly unattainable,” said Matt Boss, Citizens Bank’s head of consumer banking.

Seeking Stability, Not Status

When asked to define financial success with a net worth, 70% of survey respondents identified a value less than $1 million. The most-commonly-cited measures of achievement included living debt-free (64%), supporting a family (60%) and affording a lifestyle without stress (58%). While most aimed for financial independence, 68% said they still rely on family for essentials like rent and groceries, and nearly half (44%) said social pressure drove them to overspend.

For many respondents, the American Dream has evolved. Nearly half (46%) defined it as freedom and flexibility, compared with just 35% who associated it with wealth accumulation.

Career Independence

Young adults also redefined career success. Only 26% said they aspire to traditional corporate advancement, while two-thirds (67%) said they are pursuing entrepreneurial ventures—from side hustles to small businesses. More than half (60%) said they dream of selling a business or taking it public.

“The definition of career success is shifting as young people increasingly choose freedom, growth and entrepreneurship over corporate titles and tenure,” said Ted Swimmer, Citizens Bank’s head of commercial banking. “We’re supporting growth-stage entrepreneurs as they move from side hustle to scale, while also helping established companies understand what this generation values, so they can attract and retain the next wave of talent.”

Asked for measures of professional success, respondents’ most common answers were financial independence (52%), work-life balance (50%) and skill development (44%). The vast majority (85%) considered the ideal job tenure to be five years or less, reflecting a preference for mobility and continuous growth. Nearly eight in ten (78%) also wanted their banks to provide more than transactional services, seeking support with debt management, credit building and long-term planning.

Researchscape conducted the survey online on behalf of Citizens Bank with 2,309 U.S. adults aged 18 through 34 from August 29 through September 11.