DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY IN SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS IN SOCIAL MEDIA ENVIRONMENTS

The paper draws on a small research project involving Year 1 undergraduate social work students at the University of Huddersfield. The focus of the research was on 'how students understand the use of social media within the context of professional identity'. The findings highlight the complexity of social media experiences for students and the impact upon an emerging professional identity. Using Goffman's insights on dramaturgy, an analysis of social media and professional identity is considered.