In Elizabeth Wardle’s article, “Identity, Authority, and Learning to Write in New Workplaces,” she explores how individuals can feel like “aliens” when they start writing for jobs after school. This feeling arises from the differences between writing in academic settings and writing in professional environments. When she refers to identity, she is discussing how individuals see themselves, and how they are perceived by others. In school the idea of writing often focuses on essays and research papers for teachers and peers, following specific rules and formats. However, in the workplace, writing tasks can vary widely, requiring individuals to adapt to different audiences, purposes, and genres. The experience of feeling like an alien in a new workplace can be uncomfortable and disorienting. In my personal life, the first day of retail felt like I had randomly decided to sit at the “popular” table at lunch without an invitation. It felt humiliating as it was evident everyone felt established and that they had not welcomed a newcomer in months. Similarly to writing, we may struggle to understand the expectations, norms, and conventions of professional writing, leading to feelings of uncertainty and insecurity. Additionally workplace writing often involves navigating complex social dynamics and power relationships, further complicating the transition from academic to professional writing.
However, Wardle suggests that the experience of feeling like an alien can also be a valuable opportunity for learning and growth. I could not agree more with Wardle. Once I had let that awkward phase of discomfort pass by, I suddenly created new friendships and connections with my coworkers, who I remain friends with to this day. By embracing the challenges of adapting to new social settings, retail provided me with new skill sets that could have never been taught in a typical high school or college.when we challenge ourselves in writing, we can expand our rhetorical skills, develop a deeper understanding of audience and genre, and cultivate adaptive writing identities that are responsive to the demands of diverse professional environments.
Leave a Reply