Facebook Mediated Professional Identity Development

#NASPATech: Student Affairs Technology Conference

October 27, 2011

Sara SandstromSmith College Department of Residence LifeDoctoral Candidate in Higher Education, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Background

Personal ExperienceDearth of research on

professional identity developmentNew cohort of professionalsProfessionalism is “the internal

acceptance of a value system indicative of the newly accepted role” (Weidman et.al., 2001, p.49)

Conceptual FrameworkPersonal ExperienceTheory of Organizational

Socialization (VanMaanen & Schein, 1979)

Model of Socialization (Weidman, Toale, and Stein, 2001)

Literature◦Undergraduate Facebook Use◦Professionalism and Professional

Behavior

Research Goals/MethodsHow do

participants decide how to use facebook?

Are there expectations for facebook use from external sources? If so, what are they?

“ground rules” of facebook use?

EthnographyPopulation of

InterestObservationInterviewsCoding

ParticipantsMale, 24, 2nd year masters student.

Assistantship in Student ActivitiesMale, 24, 3rd year masters student.

Assistantship as Sustainability Coordinator (turned full-time after one year)

Female, 25, 2nd year masters student. Assistant Residence Director

Male, 23, 2nd year masters student. Assistant Residence Director

Results/What I learnedContent ControlVery little guidanceNo professional standardsShift in facebook usageReputationThere is a need to think about

professional behavior on facebook

Professional Identity Development?Appropriate behaviorBoundariesManaging impressions or

perceptionsIdentity establishmentImplicit expectations of

professionalism, not much external guidance

Easier to say what is NOT professional, than what IS.

DiscussionWhat is professional behavior?What is professional behavior on

facebook? (and, if you like, on twitter)

How do we mentor and prepare our graduate students and new professionals?

How has social media changed professional identity development? How has it affected professional behavior?

What can we do now?

Selected References Boehman, J. (2007). Affective

commitment among stude nt affairs professionals. NASPA Journal, 44(2), 307-326.

Carpenter, S., & Stimpson, M. (2007). Professionalism, Scholarly Practice, and Professional Development in Student Affairs. NASPA Journal, 44(2), 265-284.

Janosik, S. M. (2007). Common issues in professional behavior. NASPA Journal, 44(2), 285-306.

Jessup-Anger, E.R. & Renn, K.A. (2008). Preparing new professionals: Lessons for graduate preparation programs from a national study of new professionals in student affairs. Journal of College Student Development, 49(4), 319-335.

McEwen, M.K. & Taub, D.J. (2006). Decision to enter the profession of student affairs. Journal of College Student Development, 47(2), 206-216.

Van Maanen, J. & Schein, E.H. (1979). Toward a theory of organization socialization. Research in Organizational Behavior, 1, 209-264.

Weidman, J. C., Twale, D. J., Stein, E. L., ERIC Clearinghouse on, H. E., George Washington Univ, Washington, DC Graduate School of Education and,Human Development, & Association for the Study of,Higher Education. (2001). Socialization of graduate and professional students in higher education: A perilous passage? ASHE-ERIC higher education report, volume 28, number 3. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass higher and adult education series