According to Lutrell, Riessman's "imprint on the field of narrative studies is legendary", particularly regarding her "enduring commitment to and practice of researcher 'reflexivity'".
Following graduation, she attended Bard College, where she learned from Delmore Schwartz, Dwight Macdonald, and Ralph Ellison, among others.
She later attended school for social work, then earned her Doctor of Philosophy in sociomedical science from Columbia University in 1977.
[3] In the 1960s, Riessman began her career as a social worker, where she supported a Community Mental Health Center in The Bronx, as well as an out-patient psychiatric clinic.
[3] After obtaining her doctorate, Riessman researched pediatric health services, then taught at a social work school.