BEYOND SCHOOLS: CAREER DIVERSIFICATION AND NON-TRADITIONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEACHER EDUCATION GRADUATES

Abstract

This study examined career diversification and non-traditional employment opportunities for Teacher Education graduates, focusing on emerging career pathways, factors influencing career decisions, and competencies required for diversified employment. A sequential explanatory mixed method design (QUAN → QUAL) was adopted, with 300 Teacher Education graduates being sampled quantitatively and 15 purposively selected participants were interviewed qualitatively. The results found Educational Technology (EdTech), Curriculum Development, Instructional Design, Educational Research, Publishing, NGOs, Corporate Training, and Consultancy as some of key alternative careers. Career advancement, financial benefits, personal interest, job availability, flexibility, and career awareness influenced graduates’ career decisions, with personal interest emerging as the strongest predictor of willingness to pursue non-traditional careers. Essential competences were identified as digital competence, communication skills, creativity, researching skills, leadership, project management, and entrepreneurial skills. The qualitative interviews also uncovered low levels of career guidance, career experience and specific skills as barriers. The study highlights the need to expand the scope of Teacher Education to improve diversified graduate employability.