What Influence Does Our Social Background Have on Our Career?

Time and again, we hear success stories of people who grew up in humble circumstances and yet became immensely successful. One of these examples is Arnold Schwarzenegger : from an average Styrian to Mr. Universe, Hollywood actor and Governor of California. He set his mind on becoming successful and he did it!

But can everyone do it? And if so, how?

In Austria, everyone has the right to education and access to vocational training and further education. A publication by Statistics Austria shows that more than every second child of parents with a university degree completes a degree course themselves. Among children of parents without a university degree, only one in five do so. 8 out of 10 children whose parents have a high school diploma do not complete a higher degree themselves.

Among children of parents with academic degrees, only 4 out of 10 complete the Matura at most, the others continue their education. 36% of children of parents who only have a compulsory school leaving certificate also complete a compulsory school leaving certificate at most.

The chances on the job market are much higher with a completed apprenticeship or secondary school qualification. The risk of losing your job is lower and the starting salary is on average twice as high. The gross median income 18 months after completing compulsory school is around €922 per month.

It is also interesting that more young people (if they want to continue learning after completing compulsory schooling) prefer to start a degree course rather than a vocational training course. This means that the shortage of skilled workers continues to grow. The misconception that a degree course leads to greater success is still deeply rooted in our society. Skilled trades and apprenticeships deserve much more recognition. Because people in these professions are also successful.

Social education begins in childhood

In her book "How to Raise an Adult," author Julie Lythcott-Haims (former dean of freshmen at Stanford University) refers to the long-term "Harvard Grant Study." It showed that children who learn to take on tasks early on are better colleagues later on, can work more independently, and react more empathetically to others. Such tasks include helping around the house. Children should understand that these tasks are not done by magic.

Discrimination in the application process

A survey by the two job platforms Karriere.at and Hokify.at shows that around a third of job seekers have already been affected by discrimination in the application process. The Equal Treatment Act actually prohibits discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, religion, marital status, age, ideology and sexual orientation. Questions about these topics are therefore taboo in job interviews.

But discrimination often begins when the application documents are sorted out and the candidates are not given the opportunity to prove themselves in the interview. The reasons for this are varied: being too old, being a woman of childbearing age, wearing a headscarf on the application photo - prejudices and fears that should have no place here.

The career backpack determines success

At the start of a career, everyone puts on a backpack that they fill with equipment over the course of their life. This is also referred to as career capital. This does not just mean economic capital such as money, but also cultural and social capital. This includes knowledge, skills, competencies, contacts in the right networks, training, interests - everything that accumulates over the years.

But when and how these capitals can be used depends on the environment. People who have to flee their home country often struggle with the fact that their educational qualifications are not recognized in the country they are fleeing from. Women whose work in stereotypically female professions is highly valued often reach their limits in management positions in the same industry, as this level is in many cases male-driven.

The habitus concept

The habitus concept was developed by the French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu. It describes a person's basic attitude towards the world and towards themselves. Often unconscious thought, evaluation and behavior structures are shaped by the social environment (especially in the early phase of life).

It is the result of experiences and practices. These are adopted by people from their social environment in childhood , internalized and remain relatively stable. This determines, among other things, what a person believes they are capable of, what perception they have or what behavior is natural for them.

The behavior and experience of acquiring capital and being successful is shaped as early as early childhood. People with a similar habitus generally take on similar positions and have similar resources and opportunities, regardless of intelligence or innate talents. This habitus can also lead to unconscious beliefs being adopted .

But is it possible to break away from your habitat and escape?

There is the possibility of recognizing the habitus, analyzing it and differentiating yourself from it. This happens especially when the habitus and reality are far apart and the will is strengthened by it. It is a process that takes a lot of energy and requires perseverance. If you free yourself from deeply rooted beliefs, you look at the situation from a different perspective and thus take the first step.

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