The purpose of this study was to develop a theoretical model to explore and systematically explain the protean career development process of adjunct professors in the IT field. To this end, the researcher conducted a study of IT professionals who have...
The purpose of this study was to develop a theoretical model to explore and systematically explain the protean career development process of adjunct professors in the IT field. To this end, the researcher conducted a study of IT professionals who have self-directedly expanded their roles as adjunct professors based on their own values. Eleven research participants who have successfully developed their protean careers as adjunct professors in the IT field were selected through theoretical sampling, and data were collected via in-depth, one-on-one interviews conducted between July 9 and August 14, 2024. The collected data were analyzed in three stages; phenomenon understanding analysis, category relationship analysis, and theory integration analysis based on the systematic grounded theory method proposed by Ryu(2022). The results of this study are summarized as following. First, the phenomenon understanding analysis revealed the following themes related to the protean career development process of adjunct professors in the IT field; 'strengthening expertise based on proficiency', 'risk-taking and innovation', 'self-directed career management and flexibility', 'unfulfilled dreams of educators', 'field-oriented educational innovation', 'guided by an inner compass', 'competency-based career development', 'multifaceted social support', 'pioneering a career with a sense of challenge', and 'serving as a bridge between theory and practice', 'contributing to industry-academia collaboration', 'mutual growth through teaching', 'expertise-based career expansion', 'embodying the value of giving back', 'self-actualization by establishing multipersonship', 'the joy of self-fulfillment', 'social values and the pursuit of happiness', 'lifelong learning and self-directed growth', 'psychological fulfillment based on personal values', 'academic honor and professorial identity', 'autonomous internal motivation', 'growth through adaptation and innovation', 'sustainable career design', and 'career convergence and reconfiguration'. Second, through the causal relationship analysis, the central phenomenon was identified as 'self-actualization through multiple identities'. In the processual relationship analysis, the phenomenon experienced by the research participants was divided into five stages and analyzed for each process, which were structured as 'self-exploration stage', 'development stage', 'path expansion stage', 'value enhancement stage', and 'self-actualization stage'. The micro-macro relationship analysis analyzed the phenomenon from the perspective of each of the three dimensions: individual, group/organizational, and socio-national. Third, the theory integration analysis derived a core category, “constructing one's own persona,” and by integrating and elaborating the other categories, generated a theory of how the protégé career development process of adjunct professors in the IT field was deepened and completed within the structures and relationships. In conclusion, the findings of this study are as follows. First, career management based on self-determination and internal values played an important role in the career development process of adjunct professors in the IT field. Second, the accumulation of learning and experience during the career development process became the main basis for the development of new careers. Third, the contingent faculty role played an important role in bridging practical experience and education. Fourth, the adjunct position served as an important pathway for individuals to expand their professional development and realize their social contributions. Fifth, the study participants confirmed that a sense of calling to teach enhanced their career satisfaction and gave them a sense of self-actualization.