Professional identity: The clues in the pronouns

From student to the workplace, we develop our professional identities in a variety of ways including through self-reflection, and interactions with peers, society, teachers and professionals. The pronouns used when we describe ourselves can give many clues not only to how we ourselves identify professionally but how we want others to identify us.

Drawing on the research of several of my PhD students, I offer a glimpse into the fascinating world of the personal pronoun, seemingly insignificant, yet offering potentially powerful insights into identity and intension.