Examining Self-Authorship in Seasonal Work: A Study of Summer Camp Employment and Developmentally Effective Experiences

Victoria Povilaitis; Jim Sibthorp

doi:10.29333/ajqr/13395

Victoria Povilaitis ¹ ^* , Jim Sibthorp ²

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AM J QUALITATIVE RES, Volume 7, Issue 3, pp. 115-138

https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/13395

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Abstract

Self-authorship describes holistic development in epistemological, intrapersonal, and interpersonal dimensions. Individuals who are self-authored have an integrated identity across all dimensions and act from an internally defined orientation. Developmentally effective experiences are central to self-authorship and create cognitive dissonance, prompting individuals to reconsider their existing beliefs and understanding. After these experiences, individuals move forward relying on internal definitions of understanding the world, themselves, and their interactions with others. These concepts have not been considered in seasonal employment settings for emerging adults. Using a case study approach, five participants with varying experiences with summer camp were purposefully selected from a study of camp employment. Each individual participated in four interviews over two years. Transcripts were coded to identify developmentally effective experiences. We found camp employment is rich in experiences in the intrapersonal and interpersonal dimensions, and thus this type of employment may be a complementary setting for self-authorship and holistic development.

Keywords: emerging adulthood, holistic development, seasonal work.

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Citation

Povilaitis, V., & Sibthorp, J. (2023). Examining Self-Authorship in Seasonal Work: A Study of Summer Camp Employment and Developmentally Effective Experiences. American Journal of Qualitative Research, 7(3), 115-138. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/13395

Povilaitis, V., and Sibthorp, J. (2023). Examining Self-Authorship in Seasonal Work: A Study of Summer Camp Employment and Developmentally Effective Experiences. American Journal of Qualitative Research, 7(3), pp. 115-138. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/13395

Povilaitis V, Sibthorp J. Examining Self-Authorship in Seasonal Work: A Study of Summer Camp Employment and Developmentally Effective Experiences. AM J QUALITATIVE RES. 2023;7(3), 115-138. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/13395

Povilaitis, Victoria, and Jim Sibthorp. "Examining Self-Authorship in Seasonal Work: A Study of Summer Camp Employment and Developmentally Effective Experiences". American Journal of Qualitative Research 2023 7 no. 3 (2023): 115-138. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/13395

Povilaitis, Victoria et al. "Examining Self-Authorship in Seasonal Work: A Study of Summer Camp Employment and Developmentally Effective Experiences". American Journal of Qualitative Research, vol. 7, no. 3, 2023, pp. 115-138. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/13395

Povilaitis V, Sibthorp J. Examining Self-Authorship in Seasonal Work: A Study of Summer Camp Employment and Developmentally Effective Experiences. AM J QUALITATIVE RES. 2023;7(3):115-38. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/13395