There are three main reasons why people work: 1) money, 2) social contact, and 3) self-esteem. Money from work pays for basic needs like food and housing as well as wants like entertainment. Social contact provides an opportunity to interact with others and make friends. Having a job improves self-esteem by making a person feel proud and confident through their work.

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.

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-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%3B4x7fFcLHc3WMu
M%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.