The Vocational Domain
by Stephanie Barca, LMSW Resident Therapist
Of all the life domains, the Vocational Domain is often the one most likely to bleed into the others, as well as evenings, weekends, and even our dreams. Our work can give us feelings of incredible accomplishment and meaning, but it can also siphon our energy with intrusive thoughts and Monday dread.
It’s no wonder it looms large in our life. We ask children in elementary school what they want to “be” when they grow up, conditioning them to center their thoughts on the Vocational Domain. Those kids get playsets and costumes of future occupations chosen by adults making assumptions about the importance of different occupations. Some of our last names even indicate jobs – Miller, Baker, Smith, and Barber – reminding us that this focus on vocation is nothing new.
The Eight Domains Framework requires an accounting of your relationship to and experience with the work you choose to engage in. Perhaps you are in a job that you know you will not be in forever that keeps you on autopilot. The importance of your vocational values may not seem apparent in that situation. However, the factors that you considered came from somewhere, and the consequences of that decision include the opportunity costs of not taking other jobs.
In the United States, a full-time job outside the home makes up at least 7.9 hours of the workday and tens of thousands of hours across your lifetime.[1] An exploration of your values in the Vocational Domain can yield significant results whether you are starting your career or a seasoned professional.
One broad place to begin a career exploration is to assess your mindset with regard to scarcity or abundance. Working to build an abundance mindset is crucial in today’s work environment, as the accompanying expansiveness will buffer the manufactured anxiety of job markets. It reminds you that you have valuable skills that can be monetized and that you can focus on how you want that journey to progress.
Abundance says that the upcoming interview is not your last chance. There will be another opportunity, and there are supportive people who want you to succeed. In contrast, a scarcity mindset whispers that you are alone and, worse, that you are in competition with your colleagues and peers. Scarcity urges you to take what is offered because nothing else is certain. Over time, a scarcity mindset can leave you burned out and trapped in an ill-fitting role.
As you cultivate an abundance mindset, another question to ask yourself is, “What does your best work life look like?”
In previous generations, the answer was often straightforward. Jobs had roles that were more easily defined, with boundaries shaped by the technology available and the fixed structure of traditional professions. Some jobs, like construction or hospitality, had to be performed at a specific location during a set window of time. Work began when you clocked in and ended when you clocked out.
The landscape is dramatically different today. With expanded mobile reach and availability, any employee is subject to getting an after-hours email from their employer. Work is becoming boundaryless, and in the absence of norms and regulations, it falls to the worker to control the workplace spread.
To navigate this changing reality, consider the following questions:
What conditions support your best work? What factors can undermine it?
This includes the work environment, interpersonal dynamics, and internal rhythms. Consider where and when you do your best work and who brings out the best in you vocationally.When do you need to feel “off the clock”?
Knowing when you need to mentally and physically detach from work is essential to prevent burnout.How do you cultivate barriers to protect your time outside of work hours?
Determine your vocational boundaries and protect them fiercely with tools like scheduling apps, clear communication with colleagues, and rituals that transition you into and out of “work mode.”
According to Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), your answers to these questions and others will depend on the dynamic interaction between your environment, your past and present behavior, and your internal perspective.[2] The SCCT model recognizes the interplay between three factors when choosing a career:
Self-efficacy: Do you believe you can succeed in the roles or tasks required by the job? This belief is grounded in your past experiences, successes, and the skills you've built over time.
Outcome expectations: Do you believe the effort you put into your work will lead to outcomes that you want? Your perspective and needs will dictate the unique combination of financial rewards, fulfillment, or recognition that will best motivate you in the work.
Personal goals: Does your current or future work align with your sense of purpose, your values, and your long-term aspirations?[3]
SCCT reminds us that career decisions aren’t made in a vacuum. Our past, present, and future loom large in our work, and different people will make different assessments in seemingly similar situations.
Ultimately, the Vocational Domain is more than just what you do to earn a living. The work you do is a manifestation of how you engage with the world, how you contribute your strengths, and how you derive meaning from your efforts. It reflects where you’ve come from and who you can become.
So, take time to assess your relationship to work by identifying your values in the Vocational Domain. When you reclaim agency over your work life, for that third of your day, you will discover a more intentional and fulfilling way of being.
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[1]Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023). American Time Use Survey – 2023 Results, https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/atus.pdf
[2] Wang, D., Liu, X., and Deng, H. (2022). The perspectives of social cognitive career theory approach in current times. Front. Psychol. 13:1023994. doi: 10.3389/fpsycg.2022.1023994.
[3] Wang, D., Liu, X., and Deng, H. (2022). The perspectives of social cognitive career theory approach in current times. Front. Psychol. 13:1023994. doi: 10.3389/fpsycg.2022.1023994.
