Popular culture at work: how emerging adults’ favorite celebrity can influence future career aspirations and work ethic

Abstract

ABSTRACT The influence of celebrities on career aspirations has received little attention in vocational anticipatory socialization research. Two studies examined the potential role of a favorite celebrity or fictional character on emerging adults’ career aspirations and work ethic. Differences in celebrity versus fictional characters were examined. Both homophily and wishful identification predict the influence of celebrities and fictional characters on career aspirations. Additionally, wishfully identifying with celebrities was found to significantly predict participant work ethic.