Occupational Aesthetics

Abstract

Despite considerable research on occupational socialization, little attention has been paid to aesthetic standards associated with occupations. To the extent that aesthetics has been considered by sociologists, it has been within the world of fine art. Yet practitioners of many occupations use aesthetic criteria in judging the work of their colleagues. I examine how students (trainees) become socialized to the standards of cooking in trade schools. Although these cooking students are being trained for entry-level positions in “industry” (and not explicitly as artists), they are still expected to follow the aesthetic conventions of their occupation. Data on aesthetic socialization in trade schools and the limits of that socialization are based upon a two-year participant observation study of two trade school Hotel and Restaurant Training programs.