The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study is to understand why alternatively certified teachers choose to enter and stay in the teaching profession in Florida. The study utilizes the Factors Influencing Teaching Choice (FIT-Choice) Model as the theoretical foundation for the following research questions, "Why do alternatively certified teachers in Florida choose a career in teaching?" and "Why do alternatively certified teachers in Florida decide to stay in teaching?" A qualitative descriptive design was utilized a questionnaire and an interview to collect data using a purposeful and snowball sampling design. The sample size included 40 alternatively certified teachers. Ten themes answered two research questions: Alternatively certified teachers choose teaching to have an impact on student learning, for time off with family and job security, to give back to the community, because of social influences, to have an impact in education, because of their self-perceived abilities, because of the certification path choices, for the opportunities available in education, for their impact on students, and because of the preparation programs available. Participants provided unique experiences reflecting their entrance into the teaching field. Demographic data were collected to gain a unique portrait of the participants in the research. One major finding was alternatively certified teachers choose teaching to have an impact on student learning and stay for the opportunities in education. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]