Professional Identity Statement

You have likely entered Walden with many different identities—for example, parent, sibling, graduate student. Throughout your master’s program, you will make strides toward a professional practitioner identity, as well. Developing a professional identity requires three important steps: (1) gaining knowledge, skills, and values held by other practitioners in the chosen profession; (2) differentiating oneself from those who are not part of the chosen profession; and (3) identifying with the chosen profession. One way in which students can begin to develop a professional identity is through critical self-reflection (Trede, Macklin, & Bridges, 2012).

For this Assignment, you write an initial draft of your professional identity statement as a leader in the human services profession. In doing so, you reflect on your values and beliefs, how you define yourself as a practitioner, and your special interests (e.g., specific issues and populations of interest to you, including those that speak to a social justice passion) in the context of leading change efforts in the human services profession. In Weeks 5 and 11, you will revisit your professional identity statement, integrating what you have learned in this course about the various roles of advanced human services professional practitioners. 

Reference:
Trede, F., Macklin, R., & Bridges, D. (2012). Professional identity development: A review of the higher education literature. Studies in Higher Education, 37(3), 365–384. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2010.521237Links to an external site. 

Resources

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources. 

WEEKLY RESOURCES

To Prepare

• Review the Learning Resources on professional identity. Consider why it is important to develop a professional identity and how to write a professional identity statement.
• Visit the websites in this week’s Learning Resources to identify special interests (e.g., specific issues and populations of interest to you, including those that speak to a social justice passion) to include in the initial draft of your professional identity statement. 

By Day 7

Submit a 1-page initial draft of an advanced human services practitioner professional identity statement. In your statement, be sure to address the following:

• Describe the values and beliefs that influence you as an advanced human services professional practitioner concerned with leading change efforts to benefit individuals and communities and create a more just society.
• Explain how you define yourself as a practitioner working in a leadership position.
• Describe your special interests (e.g., specific issues and populations of interest to you, including those that speak to a social justice passion).