“What do you do for a living?” Isn’t this a typical icebreaker that many Americans use when first meeting someone? For many, this question can carry hidden judgments about education. income and social status. Are you a soldier, a doctor, a lawyer, a judge, a firefighter, a teacher, a law enforcement officer, an athlete, or a celebrity deserving more respect than others due to your level of contributions to society? Or a janitor, garbage collector, starving but aspiring artist, stay-at-home parent, and other professions or callings that maybe don’t garner much respect? Does the retired general or surgeon still expect others to jump to their requests, once they are no longer “in service?” I used to command… I used to manage…

Historically, career choice has often defined an individual’s identity, leading to feelings of invisibility or inadequacy when career titles are lost, changed, or unachieved. This pressure is magnified by America’s long-standing tendency to measure respect towards another based on their socioeconomic status. Psychologist Carl Jung proposed decades ago the concept of personas, which helps to shed light on this behavior. Jung theorized that personas are a type of social mask we wear in society to fulfill various roles that align with expectations for a particular social environment. In the context of the workplace, one’s professional roles become personas that they inhabit. When at home or in other social circles, one’s persona may change to fit the situation, circumstances and environment. The manager at work may also be the caring, understanding but disciplined parent at home. Likewise, the firefighter might also be a great cook or confident to others in need. When people ask, “What do you do?” they’re often asking about the persona or mask you wear in society, expecting a concise answer that reflects status or identity. However, for those in transition such as laid-off workers, retirees, or stay-at-home parents, answering this question can become challenging as their personas shift, blur or dissolve. These individuals may struggle to accept their current selves with their former, socially validated personas, which can lead to psychological issues, such as identity crises and feelings of inadequacy. due to feeling “unmoored” or disconnected from a former identity.

This career-centric perspective, sometimes referred to as “workism,” is deep-seated in American culture. It may have roots in the Protestant work ethic, which values hard or complex work as a measure of morality and worth. The result is a societal obsession with careers that often substitute family, community, and religion as the primary marker of value. In the US, socioeconomic status is quite often related to job titles and income, meaning that the “What do you do?” question also functions as a shortcut for determining respect and the perceived value of a person. This respect, or lack thereof, can create social friction, where those without distinguished titles feel slighted.

To reduce the unhealthy dependence on a career path as identity, experts suggest reframing the question or focusing on aspects of life outside and beyond one’s career. Jung’s approach would encourage developing a deeper understanding of one’s self beyond the persona, encouraging individuals to explore other aspects of their identities that are not dependent on professional success and/or recognition. Questions like, “What do you enjoy?” or “What are you passionate about?” may spark more meaningful conversations about who a person is, without linking the value of their character to their economic or social standing.

The American perspective on work and its complex culture has been slowly evolving. Younger generations are adopting a more open, less judgmental approach to non-traditional career paths. However, the stigma of defining oneself by a job title still lingers, leading to challenges in self-worth, especially when careers are in flux, disrupted, or ended for various reasons. As people move beyond “work enmeshment”— an unhealthy co-dependence on career identity — and begin to separate their self-value from their professional personas, they can cultivate new ways to contribute and find purpose. This might involve creative endeavors, personal growth, volunteering, or other areas of interest.

One valuable lesson I learned years ago from martial arts training is that “one must learn before they can earn,” along with the reminder that “happiness comes from within, not from mere recognition from others.”

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide range of topics related to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through a healthier population.

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Jim Moltzan

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