Browsing by Subject "förändring"

Since the nature of work is constantly changing, many people might have to educate them-selves again or even change their career. Up to 60% of Finland’s working population has changed their profession or branch of industry during their career and about half of those have re-educated themselves. When changing the career or work, one has to acquire a new professional identity. Construction of a new professional identity is a long process and is affected by many different factors. Since the change of career is common and the construction process of professional identity long and complex, it is important to study this topic. The aim for this study is to examine how career changers can acquire a new professional identity. In addition, I will examine how education provider and workplaces can support the development of a new professional identity among career changers. The data was collected by using qualitative research methods and a phenomenographic approach was used. The data was collected between December 2019 and January 2020. The sample consisted of seven interviewees, who all had changed careers and participated in a short training within IT- industry. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews and was analyzed through thematic analysis. The results showed that the interviewees could easily acquire their new professional identity after changing their career. Affecting factors were weak engagement with the previous career, motivation for and engagement in the new career as well as support from both the edu-cation provider and workplace. The education provider was able to support the identity pro-cess through offering an education with clear structure and aim, a comfortable atmosphere and activities which prepared the participants for working life. Furthermore, the education provider was able to support participants in recognizing their own strengths and weakness-es, which supported the construction of the new professional identity. Workplaces could support the process by providing opportunities for discussion, a supportive team and a clear structure in the work. Colleagues attitudes played a big part as well.