ABSTRACT

Professional identity is one of those things that despite your attention to it, or not, you will be creating one. It is in our own interests, as professionals, to establish our credibility as lecturers/teachers/educators. It is imperative to consider what and how our professional identity forms and how it can be enhanced so that what we want others to see/believe about us aligns with our own perceptions of what we want. In this chapter we will explore the concept of professional identity through a close investigation and critique of the literature on professional identity and, to an extent, on professionalism (for more information on professionalism and professional development see Chapter 4 in this book). We will also examine strategies, approaches and techniques that may help you as an adult educator in support of the formation of professional identity.