This study explored whether individuals’ graduateness skills and attributes (measured by the GraduatenessScale) significantly predict their job satisfaction and optimism about their future career prospects, and whetherrace and gender groups differ significantly regarding these variables. A random sample of 272 adults employed inthe South African service industry and registered as distance learning students in the economic and managementsciences field at a South African open distance learning higher education institution participated in the study. Aquantitative survey design was used. Multiple regression analyses indicated enterprising skills as a significantpredictor of the participants’ job satisfaction. Continuous learning orientation and presenting and applyinginformation skills significantly predicted the participants’ optimism regarding their future career prospects. Therace and gender groups differed significantly regarding their graduateness skills and attributes, with Indians scoringhigher than the other race groups, and females scoring higher than their male counterparts. The new knowledgeobtained may be used to inform organisational training and development and higher educational curriculum designpractices concerned with optimising the graduateness of employees in their role as students and lifelong learners ina knowledge-driven global business economy.
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