The Identity Work of Professional Identity: Challenges Constructing “Who Am I?” and “Who are We?”

Abstract

This symposium showcases recent research projects on professional identity in a wide variety of contexts. We will present fresh insights into the interaction between the two levels of professional identity – the individual “who am I in this profession?” and the collective “who are we as a profession?” We position these struggles within the burgeoning topic of identity work – the “range of activities that individuals engage in to create, present, and sustain personal identities that are congruent with and supportive of the self-concept” (Snow & Anderson, 1987: 1348). Topics addressed herein include how nascent professions struggle at the collective and individual levels to mutually shape identity; how scientists deal with threats to their long-held definitions of professional identity; how individuals respond to ambiguity in their professional identity; and how social relationships affect professional identity, especially in multidisciplinary environments. The contexts in which these phenomena are explored are also diverse and include the emerging profession of health coaches, NASA scientists, chief ethics and compliance officers, and knowledge workers in a multidisciplinary research organization. Overall, the symposium will address these goals: (1) highlighting new findings and theory on each of these topics, with the goal of contributing to richer understanding of the relationship between individual and collective professional identity; (2) comparing and contrasting the identity work challenges of nascent versus longstanding professions; and (3) providing a forum for discussion of the challenges and opportunities of conducting research on professional identity. Ambiguity of Professional Identity – Boon or Burden? The Case of Ethics & Compliance Officers Presenter: Glen E. Kreiner; Pennsylvania State U. Presenter: Niki A. den Nieuwenboer; Santa Clara U. Presenter: Derron Bishop; Pennsylvania State U.