%0 Journal Article
%T Navigating Discourses of Power Through Relationships:  A Professional and Technical Communication Intern Negotiates a Meaningful Identity Within a State Legislature
%A Kristin Pickering
%J Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
%@ 1541-3780
%D 2018
%R 10.1177/0047281617732019
%X This article applies identity construction concepts to a professional and technical communication student intern¡¯s use of agency as she negotiates a unique identity for herself within a state legislature. Following a literature review, the author highlights several of the intern¡¯s key efforts to become part of this new governmental and legal discourse community, including learning legislature-specific genres, combatting the ¡°totem-pole¡± hierarchy, making choices about appropriate professional behavior, socializing by creating an ¡°entire family dynamic,¡± and making an effort to learn the culture of the legislature. These efforts are documented through the intern¡¯s reflective, self-narratives and documents produced during the internship. Through this discussion, the author suggests practical implications for aiding students and newcomers as they transition to unfamiliar workplace communication environments
%K government communication
%K technical communication
%K identity construction
%K agency
%K internships
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0047281617732019