Studying Professional Identity in Software Engineering

Abstract

I am investigating the role of undergraduate formation of professional identity during the school-to-work transition of software engineers, with emphasis on the senior capstone experience. The social construct of professional identity represents the sense of connection between an individual and their profession. Professional identity is linked to persistence and to decreased likelihood of burnout. Improving our understanding of the influence of professional identity formation during the school-to-work transition may inform teaching practices earlier in the undergraduate program, and may aid organizations in adjusting how they work with hiring new graduates.