Final answer:
The accomplishment or participation in a selected occupation is known as an achieved status. Achieved statuses are obtained through personal choice and actions, distinguishing them from ascribed statuses. Credentialism reflects the importance of certificates and degrees in demonstrating these accomplishments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The accomplishment or participation in a selected occupation is commonly referred to as an achieved status. Achieved status is a concept used in sociology to describe a position that a person holds in society, which they have obtained as a result of their own actions and choices, such as their career. In contrast to ascribed statuses, which are those you do not select, such as being a son or an elderly person, achieved statuses like being a nurse, a self-made millionaire, or a high school dropout are earned or chosen.
Credentialism is the term that describes the emphasis on certificates or degrees that demonstrate a person's skills, education level, or job qualifications. These serve as symbolic representations of what an individual has accomplished. Using this information, one can understand how occupational prestige and the roles we play, such as 'student', 'neighbor', or 'employee', contribute to both our societal identity and individual self-concept.