Adult Immigrant Journeys: Occupational Downgrading and Continuously Evolving Selves

Autor/in	Adversario, Jan
Titel	Adult Immigrant Journeys: Occupational Downgrading and Continuously Evolving Selves
Quelle	In: Adult Learning, 32 (2021) 1, S.5-16 (12 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Adversario, Jan)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1045-1595
DOI	10.1177/1045159520952562
Schlagwörter	Immigrants; Phenomenology; Self Concept; Occupations; Educational Attainment; Employment Qualifications; Personal Narratives; Underemployment; Social Status; Barriers; Second Language Learning; Social Discrimination; Adult Education; Adult Learning + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Immigrant; Immigrantin; Immigranten; Phenomenological psychology; Phänomenologie; Psychologie; Selbstkonzept; Beruf; Berufsumfeld; Bildungsabschluss; Bildungsgut; Employment qualification; Vocational qualification; Vocational qualifications; Berufliche Qualifikation; Erlebniserzählung; Unterbeschäftigung; Sozialer Status; Zweitsprachenerwerb; Soziale Benachteiligung; Soziale Schließung; Adult; Adults; Education; Adult basic education; Adult training; Erwachsenenbildung; Adulte education
Abstract	This qualitative phenomenological study examined the occupational downgrading experiences of six adult immigrants. Occupational downgrading happens when an individual's occupation post immigration does not match his or her education credentials and previous professional experiences. The goal is to make sense of the participants' narratives through the lens of possible selves theory. Therefore, the research questions guiding this study were (1) How do occupational downgrading experiences of immigrants shape their integration to the U.S. workforce? and (2) How can we make sense of the participants' narratives through the lens of possible selves theory? Phenomenological interviews served as the main source for data collection. In addition, artifacts allowed the participants to enrich their stories. Themes that emerged from the participants' occupational downgrading experiences include underemployment, shift in status, language barrier, feeling of discrimination, and lack of inspiration at the new job. Looking at past, present, and future selves, the participants' narratives were examined first through identity transition processes: separation, transition, and reincorporation. The study adds to a developing body of literature focusing on the possible selves of adult immigrants experiencing occupational downgrading. In particular, they inform who is participating in adult education. Likewise, this study centralizes the immigrant as participant to adult learning; it provides new narratives of adults in transition. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01