Motives behind Finnish student teachers’ career choices

Student teachers’ motivation to apply for teacher education at Finnish universities and universities of applied sciences were studied. This is important because the teaching profession has started to be less attractive in recent years. A total of 760 student teachers responded to a questionnaire, and their responses were analyzed using content analysis and the narrative approach. Extrinsic, intrinsic, and altruistic motivators were found. The most common narratives were ‘A desire to teach’ and ‘Professional development’. The most common motivators among early education and class teacher students were that they liked to be with children and were fascinated by teaching and learning. Subject teacher students considered their subject as an important motivator, and special education teacher students were interested in challenges in learning. The motivator for students at universities of applied sciences, involving professional teacher education and vocational special needs teacher education, was the need to obtain a teaching degree to retain their current job. In addition, many liked to teach their interest area. Various motivators and their meaning to teachers as well as ways to attract students to the field are discussed.