The purpose of this study was to determine whether the Big Five personality factors, measured by the NEO Personality Inventory Five-Factor Inventory (Costa & McCrae, 1992), and vocational confidence across Holland's hexagon, measured by the Skills Confidence Inventory (SCI; Betz, Borgen, & Harmon, 2005), were useful in discriminating among…

Two hundred thirty-four education majors ranging from 19 to more than 35 years filled out questionnaires describing their reasons for becoming teachers. Explanations other than altruism for choosing teaching as a career are suggested, and implications for teacher education are discussed. (MT)

Describes a program at the University of Northern Colorado which provides undergraduate students in education with experiences in public school classrooms prior to teaching. (PCB)

Reports the results of a survey of 215 college freshmen education majors. Discusses four of their reasons for selecting a teaching career: family influence, positive and negative examples by their teachers, experience, and personal benefits. (SB)

Previous studies have shown that students who intend to major in education have low SAT and ACT scores. Further, among those students who intended to major, those who do major have even lower average scores. This study also shows that those students who intend to major in education have lower average high school and college grade point averages.…

A preliminary report is given of a survey of students in teacher education programs. The surveyed students (N=729) were drawn from three strata; baccalaureate degree only; baccalaureate, masters, and 6-year; and baccaluareate, masters, 6-year, and doctorate. The demographic characteristics of students from the three strata are compared.…

This study was designed to investigate the characteristics and motivations of students entering teacher training by examining the relationship between selected student characteristics and the influences or reasons given for choosing to become a teacher. The sample of 266 students beginning an introduction to education course was found to be…

The fundamental purpose of an introductory course in education is to help students form a personal basis for decisions about entering the profession and preparing to teach. (JD)

The role of cognitive style in academic counseling was examined in 427 female teacher education majors by investigation of field dependence among the students in different areas of specialization. Results supported the contention that field dependence is related to choice of area of specialization in a manner consistent with field dependence…

A retrospective methodology was used to assess if there are any statistically significant relationships between university students who are in a teacher preparation program or who indicate an interest in becoming a teacher (preservice teachers) compared with those who indicate they are not interested in becoming a teacher (nonteaching students)…

Selected students entering five alternative teacher preparation programs at Michigan State University were interviewed about their perceptions of their role as teachers. Opinions were solicited on: (1) reasons for career choice; (2) choice of program; (3) classroom rules; (4) time allocations for instructional activities; (5) allocation of time to…

This report presents the findings of a survey of College of Education alumni which was designed to determine how effective the college programs have been in providing (a) avenues of upward mobility for students, (b) opportunities for new careers in education, and (c) information on the extent to which graduates are functioning in roles for which…

Profiles those who enter the profession of education and identifies factors motivating them to consider teaching as a career. Finds that future teachers "wanting to make a difference in their lives and the lives of their students" and that low pay and doubts about oral communication skills are major concerns. (DMM)

This study examined selected characteristics of students entering the teaching profession. Student attitudes regarding the teaching profession, student reasons for selecting teaching as a career, and student reasons for attending Northeastern State University (NSU) in Oklahoma were included. Relationships between selected personal and academic…