Self-Concept and Vocational Choice

Regarding the textbook reading, I have been especially interested with the relationship between self-concept and vocational choice (Brown, 2012).  Inherent amongst the theories of career choice and development is how vocation and career choice mirror one another.  This is why the talk “A kinder, gentler philosophy of success” given by writer and philosopher Alain de Botton was of interest to me.  De Botton notes that inflated ideas of success for projecting and preserving our self-image based on our vocation can lead to what he calls “job snobbery.”  I think the inverse is also true – that a debasing or self-rejecting identification with our work can lead to self-rejection.  As I see it, this social construct of self-concept relative to  occupational or vocational choices can led to the emergence and maintenance of a false self – arguably the most significant foundation of a host of mental disorders.
            Of more practical interest, de Botton encourages us to find authentic satisfaction and enjoyment in our work by examining the true nature of what success and failure is, and to rise above our culture of “job snobbery.” As I see it, many fall within a spectrum of either rejecting themselves, or being ashamed of what their work says about them, to becoming the “job snob” de Botton seeks to examine.  The video of de Bottons talk can be accessed at youtube:  "Alain de Botton:  A Kinder Gentler Philosophy of Success."