People work for three main reasons: money, social contact, and self-esteem. Money from jobs pays for basic needs like food and housing as well as luxuries. Social contact at work provides opportunities to interact with others and alleviate loneliness. Having a job improves self-esteem by allowing people to feel proud of their contributions and accomplishments.

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

2. Most people work to earn MONEY!
Everyone needs money to provide for
their basic needs in life like: Food,
Clothing and Housing

3. While money is a good reason for working, it surely is
not the only reason.There are three main reasons why
people work

4. 1) Money
2) Social Contact
3) Self Esteem

5. 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.
Most people want more.These extra things are called wants or
luxuries.Wants or luxuries help make life fun, but they cost
more money.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Let’s Practice
For each of the following examples, decide the reason for
work. Pick from the following choices:
1 - Economic - to earn money
2. Social - to be with people
3. Self-esteem - to feel useful and needed

9. Having Nice Clothes

10. If you said Economic, you are correct. Money is needed to
purchase clothing.
Let’s try another

11. I want to help sick
people

12. You should have said Self-esteem. Helping sick people
would in turn make you feel appreciated and worthwhile.
Let’s practice some more

13. It is lonely to stay at
home all the time

14. 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

15. I get to share my ideas
at work

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

17. I enjoy going to a
couple football games a
year.

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

19. 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.

20. Credits
Images:
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-aFA
aK6-aFATbM-dSZe91-bt4mNt-bH1iX8-chEwR9-dSK3tm-cnchKE-6hSkjK-aFDjPB-8usD9K-cMnty-aFAQEv-bta55K-bZvUDS-4msAS-brd1K2-aFAPtx-bi1bhM-a2YSa6-doZD-bta3kH-biaRHp-8HWvej-9kJxyv-d8Z
. 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=4x7f
FcLHc3WMuM&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&tbn
h=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%3BAhh
Content:
Lombardi, Paula. Special Education Resources. From School to Work. May 20th, 2012. Retrieved on August 4th, 2013 from paulabliss.com.