Professional identity construction in digital times

Abstract

Why does professional identity matter? A professional identity is important because through it individuals assign meaning to themselves, and it shapes their work attitudes and professional behaviour. The way in which individuals represent themself in their professional role(s) becomes a tool that individuals will use to understand and define themself. In work space or environment an individual’s profession provides a meaningful context in which an individual’s life is lived and through which the life is interpreted by the individual and others. Thus through the construction of a professional identity, individuals are able to construct the meaning for themselves in regard to their added value to society’s welfare (Caza & Creary, 2016). Throughout the education and / or work individuals are embarking on the journey to become professionals through constructing their professional identity. They are developing the attitudes towards personal and professional values, beliefs and ideas through their engagement with the learning, working practices, interactions with teachers, colleague students, practitioners and the staff from particular institutions. These interactions enable individuals to construct their professional identities. Professional identity development is not static, but undergoing transformations and depends largely on social and interactional factors that are experienced not only face-by-face, but in virtual and digital space, where “direct” connection is perceived through technical equipment and the direct contact is possible through IT tools that are incorporated in social media(s).[...]