For many workers buffeted by the recession, a job isn’t so much a wellspring of personal fulfillment and passion as it is a source of financial stability in rough economic straits.

Yet, despite what they’ve seen parents and family members experience, many students are not willing to set aside their idealism in exchange for a regular paycheck, according to a survey of high school and community college students conducted by CPP, an assessment and training company best known for the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality assessment.

“In spite of negative economic news bombarding students, they still believe that having a career that brings fulfillment — that they can passionately pursue, that they are personally interested in — is what they’re aiming for,” said Catherine Rains, an education consultant with CPP and former college career development director.

Of the 87 students surveyed for CPP’s iStartStrong Survey — the results of which were released last week — 80 percent believe a career should bring enjoyment and fulfillment to life and 72 percent want a career that aligns with their passions. Some career counselors expected to see some shift in student attitudes as they watched others settle for jobs they didn’t necessarily like during the recession to have financial stability.

“In spite of students seeing that and experiencing it firsthand with their parents, they are still optimistic that they can pursue a career that personally interests them,” Rains said.

While these numbers are part of a decades-long trend in student perceptions of careers and will likely come as little surprise to many, Rains said the study serves as further evidence that the younger generation values extrinsic motivations less than previous generations.

“What we’ve seen in the millennial research is that this generation is less motivated by things like money and benefits [and] what the prestige and status is, and more about: ‘Is this going to fulfill me personally?’” she said.

For recruiters and talent managers looking to attract and retain younger workers, that means helping them see the connection between their job at the organization and their personal passions, Rains said. Simple gestures can also go a long way to motivating and retaining this next generation of employees as well.