You have likely entered Walden with many different identities—for example, parent, sibling, graduate student. Throughout your master’s program, yo

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.