January 2nd, 2008 → 7:20 pm @ Jay // 16 Comments
In my previous articles, I have often asked what makes a “profession” or “occupation” perceived as superior or inferior to another. The awareness of such an issue is important in determining whether or not our actions are congruent with who we want to be.
In our society, work has taken on a much more significant role than it was initially intended. Rather than simply working for money, we have begun to identify with our job. We take personal satisfaction in holding particular occupations, and at times feel superior to others who are in occupations that are regarded as non-skilled or blue collar.
I find it fascinating that such behaviour is regarded as normal, and yet many of our current occupations have only existed for a short proportion of the lifetime of our species. During our evolutionary process, we had no lawyers, IT professionals, doctors or engineers. Career oriented behaviours and attitudes are still in their infancy.
Identifying with your career is a dangerous proposition. Here are just a few reasons how identifying with your career can affect you:
Identifying with a profession is all well and good when times are good. For many, a downturn in economy, losing your job also means losing your identity. If you are no longer a lawyer, then who are you? How will you introduce yourself to others at a gathering? When asked “so, what do you do?” will you be embarrassed. Once upon a time, you would have loved such a question, a prompt to tell others about your respected profession.
I have often heard stories about retired software engineers and electrical engineers who lost their jobs and suffered long bouts of depression. They had money in the bank, but they felt they had no identity.
I will personally admit that I was once a slave to the perception of my occupation. I was a consultant in a well respected consultancy. As a “professional” I found that my spending habits changed.
I spent more on fine clothing, shinier shoes and a nice apartment. With the perceived image of a successful career, I quickly began spending money like a successful consultant does. How about you? If you are a successful attorney, would you be seen in an old car? Of course not. Your fellow lawyers would wonder if you’re not doing so well.
The wealthy reside in only a few distinct suburbs. Prestigious occupations usually beg the individual to move out of “bad” neighbourhoods and into “high earner” residences. What was the factor in the move? Is it crime? Most likely, it is the perception and status of the new area. To impress your friends and fellow employees.
I was once tremendously embarrassed when a fellow consultant talked down to a waiter in a coffee shop I regularly attended. This consultant was a good friend of mine and was always polite towards other employees and managers. We were sitting together talking about work, when the waiter came to take our order.
My colleague did not even look at the waiter’s face, nor did he thank the waiter for taking his order. When the waiter came back with the wrong order, he spoke down to the waiter as though he was a lesser human being. When I expressed my distaste in my colleagues behaviour, he turned to me and said: “how hard is it to bring food to a table.” When I asked him to apologise to the waiter, his response was: “Don’t worry about it, he’s just a waiter.”
What gives one person the right to speak to another person like that. If this waiter was instead a lawyer, would he be talked down to? Likely not. My colleague felt that his occupation put him in a position of superiority to a waiter. This behaviour is despicable, destructive and had caused a damaged ego to somebody who did not deserve it.
This is an extreme case, although we discriminate this way so commonly in our society. Dating is a great example of this, with dating websites massively favouring users with “prestigious” careers. A blue collar worker often has to work harder to impress his mother in law than a doctor does.
After seeing numerous displays of occupation discrimination, I became aware of this issue and vowed to never treat somebody this way. Since then, I have to admit, I have had issues with authority. In my eyes, upper management no longer commanded more respect than the building janitor. I liked the janitor more, so I treated him better.
Why do we think one occupation is better than another? More importantly, why are we drawn to a particular occupation rather than another. The primary reason, above all, is perceived status.
Note: There is a difference between the way we all perceive status. For example, if you drive a brand new sports car – you may perceive your status as successful, where as others may perceive you as an insecure brand zombie. Occupational status usually benefits from the shared notions that one career is more prestigious than another. We can all agree that being a doctor is a more prestigious career than being a stripper.
Yet, if the goal of a job is to return maximum return per investment of time, then stripping is a more prestigious occupation than being a Doctor. Of course, money is a secondary factor to status when it comes to occupational prestige.
A common reasoning behind the prestige of an occupation is the amount of time an individual needs to invest to get to where they are. Agreeably, this does explain the time investment of students studying law, medicine and engineering.
However, we should not neglect the time and effort invested by other individuals. While I studied engineering in comfortable University lecture halls, a family friend used to crawl under people’s houses while learning electrical wiring during his apprenticeship. If you ask me, five years of University is easier than three years of labor related apprenticeships. He now makes more money than me, but still suffers occupation discrimination.
We need to rethink where we stand in our self perception. We are all people – and that’s all. I’m no more an engineer, than you are a doctor, than you are a lawyer. We do these things to earn money, not to feel superior, inferior (or anything at all) about how it is we bring money home.
A step further from occupational selection, is the prestige related to particular corporations. Large consultancy houses have well recognised names that are plastered all over the umbrellas they hand out to graduate students.
I have personally witnessed peers increase their work hours, and take pay cuts to be a part of a large consultancy. A friend at University had obtained a role with one of the top four consultancy firms. He was so proud of his achievement that he printed his own business cards before starting work so that he can start handing them out to friends. This is brand prestige at work. The things we do to one-up over each other are seemingly endless.
I have left money till last, because I really believe this is the last thing that people consider when choosing a prestigious occupation. That sounds like a bold statement, but perhaps you should research how much intelligent blue collar contractors earn. More money – for less time.
When I purchased a collection of vending machines, a software engineering friend of mine remarked that he would feel embarrassed being “one of those guys with grease on his hands, emptying bits of loose change out of a machine”. He is a financially aware individual, he understands the profitability, but he would much rather wear a suit and be paid less than get paid more and “suffer the embarrassment” of collecting his earnings.
Sure, money certainly is magnetised to those with prestigious careers, but we should not fool ourselves here. There are higher paying occupations, smarter ways to earn a living, ways that do not confine us to offices, bosses and car loan payments.
Firstly, if you have an ego about your profession you need to let it go. Your confidence, spending, and attitude towards others depend on you freeing yourself from the chains of your self-perception. If, on the other hand, you are concerned about having a non-prestigious career – relax. It’s a job, that’s it. You should not let societal nonsense and constant one-upping affect your life.
Do not play the game by these rules, we all lose. If you are a parent, and your kid does not get into law school or business school – cut them some slack. I’m sure their giving and sympathetic nature will make you more proud then their occupation ever could. We should do our best instead to nurture prestigious character traits, the way we treat each other and our planet is the most important thing in this world.
Tags: brand, career, career driven, career orientation, confidence occupation, confidence, driven, education, getting along, money, Occupation, perception, prestige, relationships, spending, status
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Joseph
2 years ago
I’m 48 and work as a financial manager. My revenue is around 115 000 $ a year, don’t know if it’s a lot, but I suppose it’s not bad either. Circumstances in my life (divorced twice, and the second divorce at a relatively high cost) have made that I live really modestly. I don’t spend a lot of money on clothes (no suits, no expensive shoes or things like that), I have a cheap car, I live in a small 2-room apartment.
I don’t pay attention (anymore) to brand, status or anything else like that. My first wife was so careful about all that that I could not stand her anymore. I try to avoid all the people for whom those things are excessively important.
I have had the chance to meet my first love again. She shares my life but I’ve had the pleasure to find out that she also shares my values. She gives a great importance to what people are, not to what they represent or what they possess. I’m feeling I’m the luckiest man on Earth to have met her (again).
One day I’ll probably be better off (I’m working on it) but in the meantime all I can say is that my greatest moments of happiness have been brought to me by people, not by material goods.
If others think that my clothes, my car, my home do not correspond to my profession or status, they can go to hell. I have enough people around me who like me and don’t pay attention to what I wear or have.
And I’m happier than my first wife who has a nice house with swimming pool and sauna, and who drives a BMW X3, and still lives alone after almost ten years.
Jay
2 years ago
Joseph:
You are indeed a very lucky man. You not only have a spouse who appreciates you for who you are, but it sounds like you are aware of the “keeping up appearances” attitude that sucks away our income and our dignity.
You and I have quiet a bit in common, I have also returned to my first love and have not looked back since. Perhaps we should give our initial gut instincts more credit.
Thank you so much for your comment. My articles are quiet long and as a result, cater for a handful of individuals, I am glad that one of them is you.
-Jay
Allan
2 years ago
“I liked the janitor more, so I treated him better.”
Well, for me, they’re the best, I can talk to to them about anything and I always get a sincere response from them, they often come as advices, but heck, there is more value to them than what any of my senior or my boss says. I think a conversation where both or all involved considers each and everyone equal, of course, still working on it, still have my bias against some heh ;] (not due to their position or anything, but on their attitudes mostly)
Peter
2 years ago
“Career oriented behaviours and attitudes are still in their infancy.”
Aye, this may be true, but dont discount the fact that social behaviours and attitudes are a long standing tradition, career oriented behaviour is a modern facet of this thing. During our evolution we would of had leaders, mothers, friends, pack enforcers (look at wolves, and their complex societys, and look at how “base” they are). These individuals statii (plural of status) would be the equivalent of our careers, as they were our life long persuits. Maybe this association with our job is a natural component of our evolution, helping us fit into our roles in the pack, and accepting the dominance of those above us.
Im not saying that it is not time to overcome our evolution, though.
And I have to say, I really think there is a big difference between the “bad neighbourhoods” and the high-erarner ones.
I live in a city of infamous noteriety, and it you lived in a bad neighbourhood, you would escape as soon as possible, given half a chance.
When I look at most neighbour hoods, you see very tightly packed houses, small gardens to save space. Higher class places have more space, more rooms, bigger garden, usually quiter and (I dont like this one) better policing, which I believe should be even.
I lived in a small house with my 10 strong family. My dad is an architect, not a prestegious one, but he made a good living, and sent all his kids to a good school. Then he became more successful. We then moved to the “best” area of the city. I must say, it was because we needed space. And in this neighbourhood, there are high-powered people (We got a bishop and a millionaire!) but mostly I see families. And this is the most expensive plave in the city, outside of the commercial center.
I have never known anyone who changed address for prestige. But maybe I live in too small a city, or a different country.
You say that we do the jobs for money. That is not always true. Sure, I would think a lot of people want to be doctors for the status. But it requires a lot of hard work and dedication to become one. And a sacrificing of a lot of other things. And to be a good doctor, you must want to help people, to put in extra effort. It is easy to see why a person could think of a doctor as a better person than someone who flips burgers . (Im not saying its right, just easier) Maybe its the percieved contrubtion to society?
You say percieved status, like it is not true status.
But all that status is is a perception.
One more thing, in the story about the waiter and your friend, are you also criticising the waiter as well? I think you should, as he would only take real offence if he identified himself as a waiter. Otherwise, I think he would just shrug off your friends comments as some jerk who judges people by their jobs.
Pinny Cohen
2 years ago
Hey Jay,
Great post! I wanted to share with you a study that came out about prestige of jobs, but from the point of view of the masses (normal joes):
http://msn.careerbuilder.com/custom/msn/careeradvice/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=1178&SiteId=cbmsnhp41178&sc_extcmp=JS_1178_home1>1=10785&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=a71430a4b59a473daa49b312d1e2732e-254572750-X9-2
Prashant Sarkar
2 years ago
Good stuff… your articles are really useful/thought-provoking.. will be back for more
Prashant Sarkar
2 years ago
The problem of occupational prestige is even worse in developing countries like India where the prevailing economic and social conditions aggravate this problem..
For example, one of the primary reasons why parents (almost) force their children to pursue medicine/engineering in India is because of the concept of arranged marriages.. The education level, occupation and salary of the groom play a far more important role in marriages in India than anywhere else.. In fact, for many middle class families, it is considered a failure when the son pursues arts or commerce instead of engineering or medicine in college.. People will automatically assume that the individual is pursuing a BBA or B.Com. only because he/she couldn’t pass the engineering or medical entrance exams.
Nowadays, however, things are changing slowly for the better and there seems to be a growing respect for alternate professions in India.
Rebecca Shanks
2 years ago
The New York Times and ABC’s World News Webcast (the podcast version of their nightly news) both reported on Michael Gates Gill. He has written a book about his perspective as one who once held what most consider a prestige job. He now works at Starbucks and is, he says, very happy.
His book at Amazon.com: How Starbucks Saved My Life
Free From Broke
2 years ago
I used to be caught up in what people did but what I’ve realized is it’s more important that you do what you do well. Doesn’t matter what it is. And you can’t judge a book by it’s cover. That guy in the ripped overalls with beat up hands may own two plumbing companies and make three times as the guy in the fancy suit. Neither is better than the other. They are just different is all.
Ben Mealey
2 years ago
What kind of fellow insults a waiter before he gets his food? Despicable, destructive? Without a doubt.
Smart? Not very!
Jay Morrissey » The Art of Verbal Intimidation : Learn it and fight back!
2 years ago
[...] The Stigma of Occupational Prestige [...]
Preuzet članak: Umetnost verbalnog maltretiranja - naučite kako da uzvratite! | Dan u životu kompanije
2 years ago
[...] The Stigma of Occupational Prestige [...]
Sergio Ves
2 years ago
I have lived in one of the utmost vibrant Asia Capitals and worked in the fast paced Design environment for over 20 years. Than tired of the concrete jungle moved to another continent Africa. Still active in the same sector in one of the most glam cities in Africa ( go guessing), the many Italian ties that I wore in Asia with my many branded suits, that combined, were a status symbol, lost all their value with this move as no one wears ties in Africa unless needed.
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The value of my ties changed into a staggering value when converted into real estate market where for over 200 ties purchased at +- 150US$ I could have bought one more 3br house with a 2000m2 garden in a nice area in the late 90s. So much for occupational prestige! Asia is still engulfed in it and each trip to Hong Kong, Singapore, Bankok reflects this race for Branded goods.
I love casual now but on the other extreme may I suggest . Do not let the TOO MUCH of casual take you over 100% of your time.
We will never be able to change the fact that too many people with or without real money judge one another upon their first appearances and that business is more likely to come your way looking smart that in a well worn “comfi” parachute pant. Take it from a now, semi casual Designer. Comfort should still be smart. I now live in America and I see the rule is still very much on appearance that here is judged on the casual brands. Beware, that no one sees you in a ” Walm.. Supermarket Brand”, as selling your UP market
goddies,wares or services may be jeopardy.
All of the above does not matter IF you step out a Bentley Turbo on Rodeo Drive in a crappy jeans and rotten smelly T shirt .
THERE you will be forgiven or seen as HIP and people still will lick your boots or flip flops from the supermarket IF they saw you exiting the steel horse. I am sure if the same multi millionaire ( or credit card debt holder) tries to sell anyone anything on the same street , people will walk on change side walk , call security etc .
If NOT you may find yourself in a PRETTY WOMAN situation
Recall Miss O. Winfrey in Paris being refused entry at HERMES ?
Now that is something that would no have happen in LA as sales staff know the richer the clients the less they may ( not all do) care about their appearances or suffer from Occupational Prestige. Beware not to crush into that low key Toyota Prius, as some mogul or movie star lawyer may just sue you for a whiplash worth 500K to their bank account.
Jay Morrissey » The Art of Conversation: Stranger? No danger.
2 years ago
[...] The Stigma of Occupational Prestige [...]
David A.
1 year ago
Hi Jay,
Your article was a great wake up call for me. I’m a chemical engineering major and more often than not, I look down on students in less demanding majors (like business and such). I realize its not exactly the same as what you are talking about in your article, but it really hit home with me.
At the end of the day when we take off the suits and ties (or put away the books in my case), we’re still all just human and worth no more because of our jobs/majors. Thanks for helping me move towards this realization a bit more. In time I hope to completely change my (wrong) way of thinking.
Zack
1 month ago
Peter: Plural form of status is not statii, it’s statuses. Status being Latin, not Italian…
Jay: Love your articles, great hindsight !