Geoghegan, Annette
(2022)
SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO?
An Exploration of the Experiences of Career Change Teachers in Ireland:
Motivations for Changing Career and the Factors that Influence their Attrition
from the Teaching Profession.
PhD thesis, National University of Ireland Maynooth.
Abstract
This dissertation explored the experiences of career change teachers (CCTs) in Irish primary
and post-primary schools. Their motivations for changing career, expectations of teaching as a
career and the challenges encountered during their career change were examined. The theme
of identity and its role in CCTs’ motivations to change career and subsequently leave the
profession was central to this study. Stryker’s (1968) theory of identity, in particular, the
multiple identities which a person holds, formed the basis for this study’s theoretical
framework, complemented by Holland’s (1997) theory of vocational choice and Lave and
Wenger’s (1991) theory of situated learning.
This research used a convergent parallel mixed methods design, with a sample of 112
participants. Data was gathered through the use of an online survey, completed by 107
participants and fifteen semi-structured interviews, ten of whom had also completed the online
survey. The quantitative data from the online questionnaire provided descriptive statistics of
the backgrounds of participants and an overview of their routes into teaching and experience
of changing career. The qualitative data from the questionnaire and interviews were coded
using thematic analysis and provided a deeper insight into CCTs’ experiences of changing
career to teaching, the reasons for their attrition and the role of professional identity through all
stages.
The main motivations identified by CCTs for changing career included a long-held desire to
become a teacher, the influence of family members who were also teachers, crucial life events,
positive prior teaching and learning experiences, loss of employment and interest in their
previous job and other more extrinsic motivations. Developing a new professional identity as a
CCT was influenced by personal factors and relationships with colleagues and pupils. The
reasons for attrition provided by CCTs were lack of job security, the school context,
professional registration issues and a lack of teacher identity.
Job security and a positive school environment which acknowledges and values the
backgrounds, experiences and skills of CCTs each support the development of a CCTs’
teacher identity and contribute to their retention in the profession.
This research study provides a deeper understanding of the motivations, skills and experience
that CCTs bring to teaching and the factors that contribute to their attrition. This knowledge
will assist in the recruitment of this diverse cohort of teachers and alleviate the teacher
shortage in Ireland, particularly at post-primary level.
| Item Type: |
Thesis
(PhD)
|
| Keywords: |
Exploration; Experiences; Career Change Teachers; Ireland;
Motivations; Changing Career; Factors; Attrition;
Teaching Profession; |
| Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Social Sciences > Education |
| Item ID: |
16569 |
| Depositing User: |
IR eTheses
|
| Date Deposited: |
22 Sep 2022 15:36 |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
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