Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

4-25-2025

Keywords

career choice, occupational choice, skill, socioeconomic status, work satisfaction

Disciplines

Developmental Psychology

Abstract

Occupational choice is a multi-determined decision with influences from psychological traits, socioeconomic status, and cultural background. In addition, what a person ultimately does for a living is influenced by what they are capable of, what they like doing, what society requires, and what they can make a living doing. In other words, it is the combination of skill, enjoyment, societal need, and monetary return. This combination, if attained in harmony, is what the Japanese call “ikigai,” or “a reason for being.” Most people grow up thinking this harmony exists for them in some capacity; however, most people must make sacrifices in one domain or another. This, ultimately, is the process of occupational choice; namely, the decision as to which domains are most important to an individual.

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