Article at a glance:

What shapes careers: A McKinsey Global Survey

• Executives around the world say the events that most profoundly affected their careers originated largely at work, not from family or personal issues, according to a McKinsey Quarterly survey.
• Although 40 percent of respondents say they have had difficulty balancing work and home life, they also say this challenge doesn’t drive most career decisions.
• The survey uncovered few differences between the experiences of men and women. However, women are more likely to have had a mentor or role model and to have experienced discrimination.
• Respondents are satisfied with the outcome of career-shaping moments, saying that they led to more interesting and important jobs and to higher compensation.