Pre-service classroom teachers’ career choice perceptions: A longitudinal analysis of change

The purpose of this longitudinal study was to investigate the perceptions of pre-service teachers regarding their career choice reasons, the prestige of teaching career, and whether they would (re)prefer teaching as a career in a case of new chance. The study was conducted at Pamukkale University, School of Education, the Primary School Teaching Program (1–4) in Elementary Education Department. Participants’ were pre-service teachers registered to the program in 2010-2011 academic year and their perceptions were monitored for the following four years. Data were collected through a questionnaire including close- and open-ended questions and were analyzed by employing a descriptive analysis technique. Emerging (and other) findings were presented by using frequencies and percentages. Findings could be expressed in three dimensions: (1) Effective career choice factors could be ordered as intrinsic, extrinsic, altruistic and mercenary. Intrinsic perceptions increased, while the extrinsic perceptions were declining in teacher education process. Changes in altruistic and mercenary perceptions were relatively small. (2) Perceptions regarding the prestige of teaching profession declined through the teacher education process. (3) Those who would (re)prefer teaching declined as they approached graduation. Despite some positive effects, efforts are needed to restore pre-service teachers’ image regarding the prestige of teaching profession. © 2017, Hacettepe University. All rights reserved