How Does Paid Employment Affect Your Identity - Essay Example

19). It is conceptualized based on numerous elements such as ethnic group, social class, sex, religious beliefs and practices, age, status in the social order, profession, race, level of education attained,area of residence, political views and affiliations, hobbies, membership to a group or movement or an organization, sports, society, and social relationships with others. Identity is important in helping a person to determine their rank, in relation to other society members, within a community and, in distinguishing an individual’s reference point.

Employment and occupation are one of the primary determinants of an individual’s identity. Paid employment is a central element in defining an individual. In the modern times, it is at the center of most people’s lives and a key means of attaining financial security, individual identity, and away of making a significant impact to welfare of the society. It is largely applied in classifying individuals into social classes and determining their social status. Nevertheless, values of an individual ought to be considered when determining one’s identity. . ixed and constant but rather fragmented and dynamic, makeable and re-makeable depending on the manner a person acts within the social system or in our interactions with others (Brown, Kirpal & Rauner 2007, p. 45). Paid employment shapes an individual’s sense of self and identity through several mechanisms.

It helps build a person’s image, confidence, self-esteem, competency, values and beliefs. Paid employment creates chances for the advancement of different abilities, the recognition and achievement of a person’s potential and the growth of interests. In addition, it helps in achievement of personal goals and roles, boosts output and achievements, as well as builds opportunities for personal assignation, challenges, self-actualization and fulfillment (Akerlof & Kranton 2000, p. 727). Paid employment influences affects and feelings, such as feelings of independence, builds optimism and vision, leads to achievement of personal values and preferences, creates a culture of responsibility and brings pleasure and satisfaction (Brown, Kirpal & Rauner 2007, p. 87). Individuals in paid employment usually develop work-based identities.

Work based identities are largely unstable especially in the current inconstant work environments; when an individual changes occupations, the society also changes the way they view him/her (Constant, Gataullina & Zimmerman 2006, p. 96). For instance, research indicates that an increasing number of university graduates are shifting from their areas of study/specialization and turning to other jobs such as plumbers and builders. A classic example is Karl Gensberg, a molecular biologist, who compared his earnings with his plumber's and resolved to quit his work as a professional molecular biologist earning ?

23,000 yearly (Ibarra 2003, p. 59).