Why People Work

As you begin your work experience in this class, it is important to understand why people have jobs!

Most people work to earn MONEY! Everyone needs money

to provide for their basic needs in life like: Food, Clothing and

Housing

While money is a good reason for working, it surely is not the only reason. There are three

main reasons why people work

1) Money

2) Social Contact

3) Self Esteem

Money you earn pays for things you need and want. You need food, clothing, housing,

medical insurance, and transportation.

Most people want more. These extra things are called wants or luxuries. Wants or

luxuries help make life fun, but they cost more money.

The second reason people work is to be with other people; social contact. Social means to

seek out or enjoy the company of others. Your job can be a way to meet some new

friends. Doing things for and with others can help make a happy life.

The third reason, is for self-esteem. Self-esteem means pride in oneself; self-respect. It makes you feel important and worthwhile. When you do a job well, you feel good about yourself. You take pride in what you do and

who you are. It gives you confidence. Confidence is the belief that you can do well.

You feel satisfied. You fell happy. Your self-esteem may be worth more than money.

Let’s Practice

For each of the following examples, decide the reason for work. Pick from the following choices:

1 - Economic - to earn money2. Social - to be with people

3. Self-esteem - to feel useful and needed

Having Nice Clothes

If you said Economic, you are correct. Money is needed to purchase clothing.

Let’s try another

I want to help sick people

You should have said Self-esteem. Helping sick people would in turn make you feel appreciated

and worthwhile.

Let’s practice some more

It is lonely to stay at home all the

time

The answer to this one is Social. Being at home by yourself does not allow you to meet your

social need.

Let’s try a few more

I get to share my ideas at work

That’s right, the answer is Social. Getting to share ideas and interact with co-workers is

very social.

Last one

I enjoy going to a couple football games a year.

Yup! The answer is Economic. Football games would be considered a luxury, which costs

money.

Hopefully this helped you gain a basic understanding of why work is important to all people. As you begin your jobs and start to

make money, I want you to refer back to this presentation to help you reflect on each job

experience.

CreditsImages: Running Work Man: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Work_life_balance_rat_race.png. Retrieved on August 4th, 2013

Roll of Money: http://www.flickr.com/photos/68751915@N05/6355220839/in/photolist-aFAaK6-aFATbM-dSZe91-bt4mNt-bH1iX8-chEwR9-dSK3tm-cnchKE-6hSkjK-aFDjPB-8usD9K-cMnty-aFAQEv-bta55K-bZvUDS-4msAS-brd1K2-aFAPtx-bi1bhM-a2YSa6-doZD-bta3kH-biaRHp-8HWvej-9kJxyv-d8Zd4W-8rrQAb-5o2WfU-7iWW5W-5p8w8o-a5SwX-9kMAcY-eeq5iW-713m5r-9C9vCS-bDwJ11-8i2WXz-aFDcrg-d3koK-68zxeQ-68zxij-ykzEf-8rrQG3-9hznDB-8LCMVv-55FLSR-bu6sBd-657VsP-bmm93i-5WsjQv-8roJ5R. Retrieved on August 4th, 2013.

Stack of Money: http://www.flickr.com/photos/freemoneyday/8079623104/sizes/o/. Retrieved on August 4th, 2013.

Car: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nrmadriversseat/6027798204/. Retrieved on August 4th, 2013.

Colored Figures: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Social_Media_Marketing.jpg. Retrieved on August 4th, 2013.

Co-Workers: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=&imgrefurl=http://saleshq.monster.com/training/articles/957-friends-vs-friendly-which-is-the-best-strategy&h=0&w=0&sz=1&tbnid=4x7fFcLHc3WMuM&tbnh=182&tbnw=277&zoom=1&docid=srLgrJhZ1nwdOM#imgdii=4x7fFcLHc3WMuM%3A%3BdL5PpTaJiIaEFM%3B4x7fFcLHc3WMuM%3A. Retrieved on August 4th, 2013.

Confident Man: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.buzzle.com%2Farticles%2Fself-confidence-exercises.html&h=0&w=0&sz=1&tbnid=N8G6Z5NftRWq7M&tbnh=217&tbnw=232&zoom=1&docid=k4eDhlw_iR7EIM&ei=r-z_Ud_RCsqyyAGx34GQBw&ved=0CAEQsCU. Retrieved on August 4th, 2013.

Confident Kid: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thechangeblog.com%2Fself-confidence%2F&h=0&w=0&sz=1&tbnid=K9Jzgoe_BT7b0M&tbnh=183&tbnw=276&zoom=1&docid=LKguNvb-jB55fM&ei=Xez_Ub-HBoPfyQG04YG4Dw&ved=0CAEQsCU. Retrieved on August 4th, 2013.

Flying Man: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.buzzle.com%2Farticles%2Fself-confidence-exercises.html&h=0&w=0&sz=1&tbnid=N8G6Z5NftRWq7M&tbnh=217&tbnw=232&zoom=1&docid=k4eDhlw_iR7EIM&ei=r-z_Ud_RCsqyyAGx34GQBw&ved=0CAEQsCU#imgdii=N8G6Z5NftRWq7M%3A%3BAhhAT894eCn0BM%3BN8G6Z5NftRWq7M%3A. Retrieved on August 4th, 2013.

Content: Lombardi, Paula. Special Education Resources. From School to Work. May 20th, 2012. Retrieved on August 4th, 2013 from paulabliss.com.