2min read • 6 months ago
https://substack.com/@oluwaponmile
To discuss strategies for shaping a professional identity as a medical laboratory scientist.
Identity, Professional, Career, Mentorship, Continuous Learning, Origins.
Expository Essay
Getting to a place of “belonging” is quite the journey, one that I have personal experiences with. As an undergraduate, I felt like a log in the sea swaying with the waves. I wasn't grounded and had no idea what I wanted to do with my degree. This changed when I became part of MedLabConvo and belonged. From belonging, I saw the diverse opportunities available to me and I began to form my identity.
Identity refers to the characteristics, values, and beliefs that define who a person is; the fact of being who or what a person or thing is. With every member of the society offered the liberty to identify as whatever they wanted to, the word identity has become sacred in our modern day society. This liberty however can pose the problem of having too many choices or the same society that had offered the liberty, snatches it away without care. Take Chidinma Adetshina, who faced public scrutiny over her dual South African and Nigerian identity during the 2024 Miss South Africa pageant. Her story highlights the challenges of reconciling identity in the face of external pressures. Similarly, young medical laboratory scientists often face challenges in defining their professional identity in a complex healthcare system.
Professional identity represents how an individual defines themselves within the context of their career, covering their values, skills, and professional beliefs. It reflects both an internal understanding of one’s role and how this role is perceived by others within and outside the field.Shaped by personal strengths, workplace culture, mentorship, and continuous learning, professional identity evolves over time. It goes beyond job titles, highlighting a deeper sense of belonging, ethical alignment, and dedication to growth within a chosen profession. At its core, professional identity is about answering the question: "What do I stand for as a professional?
WHO AM I AS A PROFESSIONAL?
Professional identity is defined primarily as the concept that describes how we perceive ourselves within occupational context and how we communicate this perception to others