Young graduates' professional identity construction through self-expression on social networking sites

• Main Authors: Iskandar, Z., Omar, N.N.
• Format: Article
• Published: Taylor's University 2022
• Subjects: H Social Sciences (General)
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/44102/
• Institution: Universiti Malaya

This is a phenomenology research of young graduates’ professional identity construction and self-expression on social networking sites. It studies the graduates’ social media posting practices and activities in the process of transforming their image following the assemble of their professional identity. The area of study includes their social networking identity which includes the attributes, beliefs, values, motives, and expression. Most often, these identities were portrayed online by showcasing their professional capacity through a curated self-expression on social media. The following concept will be covered in this research; professional identity construction, self-expression, and social networking sites, and this study will be guided by Social Identity theory; specifically, on Individual Mobility. This study utilizes qualitative research method by conducting focus group discussion with 20 young graduates who are new in embarking the professional world. The focus group data will be analyzed through thematic analysis in discovering the themes and sub-themes of exploratory study. The findings found that even after joining the professional workforce young graduates still use social networking for personal hobbies and gratifications but they started to build an image on social media to represent their professional careers because it does have its impact on respondents. Evidently, this research is significant to the academic knowledge in gaining a deeper understanding of values in the contexts of professional and interpersonal communication, alongside to strengthen the theoretical implication of the field. © School of Engineering, Taylor’s University.