Who am I as a Future Professional? Examining Professional Identity Status Across Demographics in STEMM Undergraduates

Cameron Bechard; Tamra Legron-Rodriguez; Nicole Lapeyrouse

doi:10.82396/cjcd.v25i1.3288

Authors

Cameron Bechard University of Central Florida
Tamra Legron-Rodriguez University of Central Florida
Nicole Lapeyrouse University of Central Florida

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.82396/cjcd.v25i1.3288

Keywords:

professional identity, identity status, PISQ-5d, underrepresented demographics

Abstract

In 2015, Mancini et al. validated and published the Professional Identity Status Questionnaire (PISQ-5d). This survey uses five factors to measure how an individual identifies themselves within their chosen field of profession. In recent years, the survey has been modified and adopted for use in other fields such as nursing and social work, and among students in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Pre-Medical (STEMM) programs. For this study, the PISQ-5d survey was utilized to investigate how undergraduate students at a Hispanic-serving institution identify themselves as future professionals in their field. The results of this study aim to understand further how students of different backgrounds relate to being a future professional in their field by comparing the identity statuses of the students based on a multitude of demographic and academic data including gender identity, racial and ethnic identity, admission, STEM degree program including pre-medical students (STEMM), class standing, first-generation classification, and financial need. The results of this study show multiple statistically significant differences between students of various demographics. This study also shows how this survey can be used to identify STEMM individuals who may have deficits in professional or career development as they work towards becoming future professionals in their field.

Author Biographies

Tamra Legron-Rodriguez, University of Central Florida

Department of Chemistry, Associate Department Chair

Nicole Lapeyrouse, University of Central Florida

Department of Chemistry

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