Occupational Identity

Abstract

Occupational identity is a core construct in career and lifespan development. A number of studies have shown that occupational identity achievement relates positively to psychological adjustment, career success, and life satisfaction. Occupational identity is a crucial component of the sense of self, emerging during late adolescence and early adulthood, when overall identity becomes a core developmental task. However, despite the normative nature of occupational identity development across the late adolescent and young adulthood period, appreciable variability is observed in the pathways and timing of occupational identity progress from person to person and across different cultural and socioeconomic contexts. Recently, new approaches have been developed to address contemporary career challenges, and they are commonly aimed at helping individuals to develop their occupational identity.