Abstract:

The aim of this study is to determine the factors affecting pre-service science teachers’ choice of the teaching profession. The study group of the research consists of 22 first-year pre-service teachers (16 females, 6 males) studying at a university in Kayseri, Turkey in the spring semester of the 2018-2019 academic year. Case study as a qualitative research design was used in the study. A semi-structured interview form consisting of two open-ended questions was used as a data collection tool. These questions are as follows: (1) What is the main factor in choosing the teaching profession? (2) Do you think the teaching profession suits your interests, wishes and abilities? Content analysis method was used in the analysis of the data. According to the findings obtained from the first interview question, although both internal and external factors play a role in the profession preferences of pre-service teachers, external factors outnumbered internal factors, and the number of participants emphasizing external factors is also higher. External factors are grouped under four categories: Family, having not enough score, being suitable for women, economic security, and vacation opportunity. Internal factors are grouped under three categories: Enjoying teaching, being fun, and liking of children. According to the findings obtained from the second question, one third of the pre-service teachers stated that the teaching profession is not suitable for their interests and abilities, and 12 pre-service teachers stated that this profession is not suitable for their wishes.

Keywords: