The Transformative Within: Resumes and Sense of “Work Self”

Abstract

The individual's sense of “work self” is a complex phenomenon. The cumulative effect of work experiences and academic experiences along with one's personal interpretation of them is felt strongly in the sense of work self. There is recognition of the importance of people's sense of work self in career choices and in career success. The important role students' academic identity plays in post-secondary study success is well recognized, but the importance of the development of work identity in post-secondary education has received little attention. In this chapter, the crucial role work identity plays in career path and success is acknowledged. The author suggests that resume writing, typically viewed merely as a work history, can be used as a powerful tool for creative, critical reflection through which students critically re-examine their previous experiences and ultimately challenge the habits of mind and work self, which has previously defined, and often constrained, them.