Abstract:
Memorable messages during the anticipatory socialization stage have been
understudied in the field of communication. This study examined the role of memorable
messages received by individuals as they create their professional identities during the
anticipatory socialization stage. The content and function of a memorable message
related to the professional identity were elicited from 239 college-enrolled participants.
The results indicate that memorable messages do exist in the anticipatory stage of
socialization. Further, the results suggest that the participants received messages most
often in the home, via face-to-face communication, and from a male most notably their
father. The results also show that the most frequently occurring memorable messages
and message functions were associated with decisions of choosing a future career
and constructing a positive professional persona.
