Harrisonburg News
Campus News & Events
Clothing Shapes Professional Identity
The last few weeks, new students in several medical specialties at the Harrisonburg campus have been fitted for their scrubs. In addition to being comfortable clothing, there is an important reason why students need to begin wearing the clothing associated with their field of study: they begin to adopt the identity of, and feel more like a member of, their chosen profession. The students begin to think of themselves as budding professionals in phlebotomy, surgical tech, or medical assisting.
Perhaps there is a larger lesson for all of us in what we wear. As a person begins to wear the clothing of and take on the identity of the career group they are trying to enter, they not only convince potential employers of their identity – they convince themselves. Bottom line: Dress like who you want to become – your identity will change in the positive direction.
Pictured is student Jessica Gallaro being fitted for her scrubs by Leelee Breeden, Director of Health Programs.
