Abstract:

Our present study aims to identify the factors that influence professional identity construction before and during the university stage. Reviewing the literature from a multidisciplinary perspective and conducting a qualitative pilot study through four focus groups with a sample of 62 third-year geography and tourism students, we found multiple factors that influence students’ professional identity construction. By gathering these factors in six categories: social experience, family, friends, media and other social influences, perceived congruence with the profession, personal development and self-enhancement, social image of the profession (social status or profession prestige, possibilities to have a future job), educational experience (previous educational content, degree accessibility, degree content and degree characteristics), demographic characteristics and professional experience). We propose a conceptual framework of the factors influencing professional identity before and during University. And, in turn, we describe how these factors might contribute in strengthening or weakening their professional identity. This model helps us to understand what the bases of students’ definition about themselves as professionals are, while suggests that higher educational content can be designed to facilitate early professional identification. The implication of strengthening students’ PI for university, individuals and organizations are discussed.

Keywords:

Professional Identity construction, factors, higher education, conceptual framework.