I-concept of one’s Professional Identity: Formation in Class and at Work

Abstract

The paper features some results of a pilot research on the formation of I-concept of one’s professional identity during practical training and at work. The issues of the I-concept draw attention of modern scientists; however, the problem of I-concept of one’s professional identity remains largely understudied, e.g. its sensitive period of formation, conditions, factors and dynamics, interrelations between the I-concept of one’s professional identity and one’s professional activity, etc. An adequate I-concept plays a special role in the activities connected with extreme conditions, a high degree of responsibility and a brief adaptation period, e.g. public transport. The research involved first thirdand fifth-year students of State Transportation University of the Far East (Khabarovsk) and railroad employees of the corresponding profile. The diagnostic package was shaped according to the theoretically revealed structure of the I-concept. The results confirmed the initial assumption that one’s "I-concept" of the professional identity is rooted in one’s learning and practical training, but its actual formation happens during one’s professional activity. The paper contains some recommendations on I-concept formation in students majoring in transport.

Keywords

• i-concept
• personality
• students
• professional
• educational and professional activity
• professional activity
• railway transport