What does this research mean for the field?

There is a significant misalignment between the career attributes undergraduate prospective teachers value, such as salary and workload, and their perceptions of the teaching profession. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

Investigate undergraduate interest in teaching careers by examining how their career values align with their perceptions of the teaching profession.

September 5, 2026American Journal of Education

Misaligned: Exploring Undergraduates’ Career Values and Perceptions of Teaching

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Authors

ABAmanda Bowsher JRJennifer King Rice KBKayla Bill

Discussion

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Overview

Mixed-methods study reveals misalignment between career values and teaching perceptions among undergraduates, highlighting compensation and workload reforms to mitigate teacher shortages.

Key Points

Investigate undergraduate interest in teaching careers by examining how their career values align with their perceptions of the teaching profession.
Mixed-methods study guided by an expectancy-value theoretical framework at the University of Maryland.
Administered a campus-wide survey to undergraduate students to measure career attributes and occupational interest.
Conducted qualitative follow-up focus groups with undergraduates who expressed interest in pursuing a teaching career.
Undergraduates interested in teaching valued all evaluated career attributes, including compensation, job availability, and security, as at least moderately important.
Prospective teachers reported positive perceptions of teaching regarding social contribution, but exhibited notable misalignment between career values and perceived teacher salary and workload.

Cite This Study

Bowsher et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9bd3a66b95aff0620eade2 https://doi.org/10.1086/743002

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September 5, 2026American Journal of Education

Misaligned: Exploring Undergraduates’ Career Values and Perceptions of Teaching

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

ABAmanda Bowsher JRJennifer King Rice KBKayla Bill

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Mixed-methods study reveals misalignment between career values and teaching perceptions among undergraduates, highlighting compensation and workload reforms to mitigate teacher shortages.

Key Points

Investigate undergraduate interest in teaching careers by examining how their career values align with their perceptions of the teaching profession.
Mixed-methods study guided by an expectancy-value theoretical framework at the University of Maryland.
Administered a campus-wide survey to undergraduate students to measure career attributes and occupational interest.
Conducted qualitative follow-up focus groups with undergraduates who expressed interest in pursuing a teaching career.
Undergraduates interested in teaching valued all evaluated career attributes, including compensation, job availability, and security, as at least moderately important.
Prospective teachers reported positive perceptions of teaching regarding social contribution, but exhibited notable misalignment between career values and perceived teacher salary and workload.

Cite This Study

Bowsher et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9bd3a66b95aff0620eade2 https://doi.org/10.1086/743002

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