The Relationship between Professional Development and Employee Satisfaction at a Higher Education Institution

Abstract

Limited studies have focused on the relationship between professional development and employee satisfaction in higher education. This study examined professional development and its impact at University X. The study was conducted at a Midwestern university with multiple campus centers, and its full-time employees were the population (n = 475). An explanatory sequential mixed method design was employed for the study using a survey with Likert and open-ended items, followed with semi-structured interviews. One hundred fifty-nine full-time employees (33.47%) responded to the survey. Sixteen survey respondents participated in the interview process.Data analysis results from the Pearson correlation coefficient and one-sample t test indicated a statistically significant, weak positive relationship between the number of professional development programs attended and employee satisfaction. Seven emerging themes developed regarding perceptions of professional development that should be addressed in higher education institutions: (a) technology should be integrated into professional development; (b) administration should review professional development funding university-wide; (c) full-time employees would like to collaborate in professional development opportunities with peers; (d) full-time employees have varied motivations for participating in professional development programs; (e) there is a need for professional development outreach to remote online and campus center employees;(f) full-time employees desired available/applicable content resources; and (g) full-time employees sought development of knowledge and skills. Two professional development modalities, conferences and webinars, and four professional development topics – administrative, relationship building, academic affairs, and technology training – addressed professional development topics that University X full-time employees participate in to remain current within their profession. Finally, University X full-time employees described satisfaction with University X’s professional development programs.