Pre-service language teachers perceived career aspiration at Universitas Negeri Padang

Abstract

Pre-service English teachers may have different motives in choosing a career aspiration. This study aims to explore students’ career aspirations, the type of motivation for choosing it, and its relationship with their learning. This study was conducted at a private university in Padang, Indonesia. 21 students as the total population were selected to complete a questionnaire consisting of 20 questions distributed online to 21 respondents. From the results of the questionnaire, the two students with the strongest responses were purposively selected to participate in an interview regarding their motivations in determining their career aspirations and their relationship with learning. The findings show that there are students whose career aspirations have changed and those whose career aspirations have not, there are six factors that motivate career aspirations, and there is a relationship between career aspirations and successful learning.