Abstract
In pursuing academic and career success, individuals navigate felt career pressure while striving to excel in educational and professional arenas. As limited literature addresses this phenomenon, this study aims to build theory through an inductive approach. We conducted life-story interviews with 39 participants across various career stages to explore this phenomenon. Our findings indicate that felt career pressure comprises career-related expectations of oneself and interpersonal relationships with others, such as family, friends, and fellow students. Broader societal influences, including social media, institutions, and the labor market, further increase this felt pressure. Our results reveal a spectrum of experiences: for some, pressure facilitates maladaptive physical and psychological conditions, while for others, it seems to promote motivation. Results suggest this pressure persists throughout career trajectories across the lifespan. These findings are relevant to individuals, educational institutions, and workplaces alike. In practice, our research points to the importance of fostering supportive environments for career development that align with individuals’ true selves.