Given how many surnames are occupational (Fletcher, Butcher, Smith) I'd suggest that historically your "rank, profession or occupation" (as the Victorian census

Given how many surnames are occupational (Fletcher, Butcher, Smith) I'd suggest that historically your "rank, profession or occupation" (as the Victorian census put it) was a major part of "structure, meaning and belonging". Especially if you go back to the era of apprenticeship and guilds. I do wonder whether the moving away from the "career for life" mould has some part to play in the ennui that so many modern people seem to feel. Certainly some of the life events I'm proudest of over the long term are achieving professional qualifications - for instance commissioning as a military officer. It is a standard that society recognises your having reached, carries a degree of prestige and helps give a sense of place in the world.