ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the intersection of the vocational interest and meaningful work literatures. It draws on theories of meaningful work to explain why and how people with different vocational interests may experience meaningful work through unique pathways. The chapter describes the relationship between the structure of interest profiles and individuals’ experiences of work meaningfulness, and describes with implications for how organizations might attempt to foster meaningfulness for individuals with different vocational interests. It presents both the vocational interests and meaningful work literatures. The chapter shows that individual differences in interests may also be critical for how workers experience the meaningfulness of their work. It highlights how and why people with different interests may look to different sources for work meaningfulness, and that organizations can foster meaningful work by creating the conditions through which people with unique interests can access critical sources of meaningfulness.
