The Career Experiences of Teacher‐education Graduates |
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| Authors: | Ron Traill |
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| Institution: | Faculty of Education, University of Canberra |
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| Abstract: | In an effort to gain more detailed information about the career patterns and professional experience of beginning teachers, teacher‐education graduates from the University of Canberra were studied. Data was obtained using a survey administered to a random sample of graduates who had completed their teacher‐education programmes in the academic years 1986 to 1991. The survey instrument focused on employment histories, teaching and non‐teaching career experiences, career support structures and the suitability of the University's preservice teacher‐education programmes as preparation for careers. Analysis of the data revealed that over two‐thirds of the graduates were currently employed as teachers. A little over half of the respondents stated that they would choose teaching again if making a career selection. The major problems encountered by these beginning teachers generally involved classroom management and understanding ‘the system’. Most thought that the support structures to help them with such problems were inadequate, generally recognising peers as the main means of support in early days of teaching. In response to questions about the value of their preservice programmes, the graduates placed most emphasis on the practical value of courses, the importance of practice teaching and the role of courses which provided a knowledge base for the later teaching of curriculum content. |
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