Occupational Experience and the Self-Concept: A Longitudinal Study

This research examines the socializing effects of work experience on the competence dimension of the self-concept during the early work career. The panel consisted of 435 male 1966-67 college graduates who were studied during their undergraduate years andfollowed up, 10 years later, by a mail survey. Using the confirmatory factor analysis procedure, the findings demonstrated significant effects of work autonomy on the individual's sense of competence or personal efficacy. With work autonomy and other pertinent variables controlled, income, an indicator of extrinsic rewards and socioeconomic attainment, did not significantly enhance the self-concept over time. These findings support a generalization model of adult socialization, in which adaptations to occupational activities and demands are conceptualized as major sources of personal change. The results also showed that a sense of competence, prior to labor force entry, has significant implications for future income attainment and work autonomy.