Teacher Identity Development: A Psychological Journey of Career Decision Making

• In Event: Poster Session 2
  In Poster Session: Motivation and Cognition in Varied Contexts

Abstract

Clarifying pre-service teachers’ career identity development is necessary to better understand their motivation, effectiveness, and career decision making. This study attempted to comprehend pre-service teachers’ psychological journey of career decision making by exploring their occupational identity status, resilience, perceived instrumentality, vocation, and career exploration paths. A mixed-methods design was employed; 307 surveys measured pre-service teachers’ occupational identity status, resilience, and perceived instrumentality, and 32 interviews explored sense of vocation and career decision making processes. MANOVA analysis indicated significant differences for resilience and perceived instrumentality based on identity statuses. Qualitative analysis suggested the need for additional identity statuses in order to fully capture the essence of participants’ career decision making journeys; three were created: Niche Achievement, Non-Influence Foreclosure, and Roaming Moratorium.

Authors

• Ji Yeon Hong, University of Oklahoma

• Barbara A. Greene, University of Oklahoma

• Robin R. Roberson, University of Oklahoma

• Dionne Indera Cross, Indiana University

• Lauren Rapacki, Indiana University

• Emily Higgins, University of Oklahoma