PoliticsAugust 9, 2026
careerism
kuh-REER-ih-zum
Definition
The practice of prioritizing professional advancement and career success over other values or social contributions.
Etymology
Derived from the French 'carrière' (meaning a road or racecourse), the suffix '-ism' was added in the 20th century to describe the pursuit of career advancement as a dominant social or personal principle.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe a modern, narrow focus on job preparation in education that threatens the broader goals of a liberal arts education.
Should Democrats campaign for more English lit majors?
Read the full article ↗Inquirer.com