Reading about the development of a vocational identity in emerging adulthood reminded me of myself and the path I've taken to get where I am. I went to college for teaching, yet I didn't want to teach. I never could completely identify with teachers or the lifestyle of a teacher. So instead of teaching, I got a job at an office after graduation. I knew I didn't want to make that my vocational identity, but I didn't have any better ideas, and I needed to earn money to pay bills. Now that I'm looking forward to graduate school for occupational therapy, I feel much more like I have established a vocational identity, or at least one that I want to work toward. It was interesting that Berger mentioned how some developmentalists view vocational identity as “an illusion in the current employment market” (Berger, 2008, p. 503). I feel lucky to have found a job that I want to pursue as a long-term career, but that does seem to be an elusive thing for many people. Some of my friends who have also graduated from college are still in the in-between stage of working a job to earn money but not wanting to be there forever. Others of my friends have decided what they want to do for a long-term career and are going after it. I think it probably depends on your personality, how driven you are, other long-term goals, and what your current situation is. For example, if parents still let their adult children live at home, there is less motivation to find a satisfying and well-paying career to pay for an apartment or house. I am glad that I have found a vocational identity that I want to work toward. It gives my life much more direction and focus than before by having something specific to work toward.
Berger, K. S. (2008). The developing person through the lifespan (7th ed.). New York, NY: Worth
Publishers.
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