As Fayette County's and the country's economy keeps churning along, a solid majority of Americans said they are mainly or completely satisfied with their career situation.

This is just one of the findings in the first-ever Shell Poll, conducted for Shell Oil.

Sixty percent of Americans said they're completely or mainly satisfied with their career. Not surprisingly, those who are older, more affluent or in professional or managerial positions are more satisfied than younger, less affluent, blue-collar workers.

Nearly 57 percent of those polled expect to work for five or more companies during their lifetime, while half expect to work for eight or more companies.

"American workers are confronting large-scale and rapid changes in the economy that are transforming the fundamental nature of work and career," said Peter Hart, president of the research firm that conducted the poll. "Fewer and fewer people can establish themselves with a firm, move up the ladder and reach retirement while still at the same company."

An even as changes alter the workplace, Americans still hold fast to the principle of hard work.

Nearly 39 percent of those polled said working hard is the most important item for success, while only 21 percent listed a college degree as the most important factor.

Other key findings of the poll include:

· 63 percent said it does not matter whether their boss is male or female.

· 30 percent of workers believe they could do their boss's job better.

· 60 percent work at least one weekend a month.

· 55 percent described themselves as having a career, rather than a job.

· 65 percent said they were fairly well-prepared for the first jobs they had.