How Does Our Social Background Affect Our Career?

Time and time again, we hear success stories of people who grew up in humble circumstances and became hugely successful. One example is Arnold Schwarzenegger: from an average Styrian to Mr Universe, a Hollywood actor and Governor of California. He made up his mind to be successful and he made it happen! 

But can anyone 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 goes on to study. For children of parents without a university degree, the figure is only one in five. 8 out of 10 children whose parents have completed secondary school do not go on to higher education themselves.

Among the children of parents with tertiary education, only 4 out of 10 go on to complete secondary education at most. 36% of the children of parents with only a compulsory school-leaving qualification also complete no more than a school-leaving mandatory qualification.

The chances on the labour market are much better with an apprenticeship or upper secondary education. The risk of job loss is lower and the average starting salary is twice as high. The median gross income 18 months after leaving compulsory education is around €922 per month.

It is also interesting to note that more and more young people (if they want to continue their education after compulsory schooling) prefer to start a university course rather than an apprenticeship. As a result, the shortage of skilled labour continues to grow. The misconception that higher education leads to greater success is still too deeply rooted in our society. 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. This showed that children who learn to take on tasks at an early age are better colleagues later on, can work more independently and are more empathetic to others. Such tasks include helping around the house. Children need to understand that these tasks do not happen by magic.

Discrimination during the application process

A survey conducted by the two job platforms Karriere.at and Hokify.at shows that about one-third of jobseekers have experienced discrimination during the application process. The Equal Treatment Act prohibits discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, religion, marital status, age, ideology and sexual orientation. Questions about these issues are therefore taboo in job interviews. 

However, discrimination often starts as soon as the application documents are sorted out and candidates are not allowed to prove themselves in the interview. There are many reasons for this: too old, a woman of childbearing age, a headscarf in the application photo - prejudices and fears that should have no place here. 

Success depends on the career backpack

At the start of a career, everyone packs a backpack, which they fill with equipment throughout their lives. This is known as career capital. Not only economic capital like money but also cultural and social capital. It includes knowledge, skills, competencies, contacts in the right networks, training, and interests - everything that accumulates over the years. 

But when and how this capital can be used depends on the environment. People who have to flee their home country often have to cope with the fact that the educational qualifications they have acquired are not recognised in the country of refuge. 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 often male-dominated.

The Habitus Concept

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

They are the result of experiences and practices. These are adopted and internalised by people in their social environment during childhood and remain relatively stable. They determine, among other things, what a person believes, what perceptions he has and what behaviour he takes for granted. 

Behaviours and experiences of capital acquisition and success are therefore shaped in early childhood. People with similar habitus tend to occupy similar positions and have similar resources and opportunities, regardless of their intelligence or innate talents. Habitus can also lead to the adoption of unconscious beliefs. 

But is it possible to break out of one's habitus?

It is possible to recognise the habitus, to analyse it and to distinguish oneself from it. This happens especially when habitus and reality are far apart and the will is strengthened. It is a process that requires a lot of strength and perseverance. When you let go of deeply rooted beliefs, you look at the situation from a different perspective and take the first step.

Photos: Shutterstock