More than a title: rewriting the academic success narrative through autoethnography

Abstract

This autoethnography analyzes the impact of credentialism on my academic journey and scholarly self-concept. I examine the traditional conceptualization of success as securing a degree or position at a reputable institution and seek alternative conceptualizations, including intellectual growth, without formalized credentials. I examine the relationship between academic capitalism, personal values, and institutional frameworks through three key discourses: 1) credentialism, 2) family and cultural-social factors, and 3) critical thinking. The research promotes a socially progressive, comprehensive vision of scholarship, highlighting the importance of critical research, interdisciplinary thinking, and other ways of knowing as integral to academic identity.