Occupational Identity Formation in Unsaturated Spaces: The Layered Accretion of the American Astronaut’s Identity

How does the process of identity formation unfold in emerging occupations? While extant research has focused primarily on occupational identity formation through differentiation from other occupational groups, we theorize identity formation in occupations that emerge in unsaturated spaces, where competitive dynamics are less salient. We address this question through a qualitative historical analysis of American astronauts at the inception of space exploration (1958–1974). Our work theorizes layered accretion as a distinct identity formation process whereby a new occupation’s identity begins with importing an identity from an existing occupation (proto identity), refinement of the identity through work–identity alignment (core identity), and subsequent layering of new, distinct identities that are accreted on to the core. We specify the mechanisms underpinning layered accretion and contribute to deeper understanding of how multiple identities are managed in the early stages of identity formation in new occupations.