Teaching vs. nonteaching majors : are personality factors and teaching designation linked?

Abstract

This study examined how different aspects of personality related to university students' designation of an education versus noneducation major. Three aspects of personality (self-esteem, self-concept clarity, and agreeableness) were examined in order to determine if they were related to the vocational choice of teaching. Students completed measures of self-esteem, self-concept clarity, and agreeableness, along with a demographic questionnaire. Men and women had the same levels of self-esteem and self-concept clarity. Education (n = 118) and noneducation majors (n = 89) had the same levels of self-esteem and self-concept clarity. Men and noneducation majors had higher levels of agreeableness than women and educators. Lower division students had the same levels of self-esteem, self-concept clarity, and agreeableness as upper division students. These results suggest that personality and major are not closely related. Recommendations for future research and implications for counselors in academic and career settings are discussed.