Chinese early childhood education (ECE) students face significant employment challenges, including unstable market demand, intense competition, limited career options, and an uncertain policy environment. The low appeal of the teaching profession has led many student teachers to reconsider pursuing a teaching career, though the stability of early childhood teachers is crucial for education quality and equity. Professional identity is key in shaping student teachers' confidence and familiarity with teaching, influencing their career decisions. However, its impact may be diminished by external and personal factors. Despite the importance of this issue, research on the psychological factors influencing student teachers' career decisions is lacking. This study, grounded in the Chaos Theory of Careers, explores how tolerance for uncertainty mediates the relationship between professional identity and the willingness to become an ECE teacher. Career development is complex and adaptive, shaped by both external and internal factors. Tolerance for uncertainty enhances adaptability and confidence in career decisions. Survey data from 463 ECE students indicate that tolerance for uncertainty significantly influences whether student teachers with a certain level of professional identity choose to pursue a career in early childhood education. Those with a higher tolerance for uncertainty are more likely to express a strong willingness to teach, especially if they possess a strong professional identity. These findings provide new insights into the relationship between professional identity and career decisions, expanding the theoretical understanding of career development. This research suggests that enhancing tolerance for uncertainty in teacher education could help produce more stable education professionals.

Authors:
Ismath Ramzy, Univerisity of Malaya, Malaysia
Jie Pan, Univerisity of Malaya, Malaysia

About the Presenter(s)
Ms Jie Pan is a first-year PhD student at the University of Malaya. She's focusing on vovational behavior research.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-pan-31439420a/

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

Bookmark

---

A Note to Presenters

To enhance academic profiles and showcase research, we encourage all presenters and co-presenters to include links to their public LinkedIn, ResearchGate profile, and research websites. Presenters may update their bio for their presentation by completing the form linked below by October 22, 2024.
- Presenter Information Update Form
Submitted changes will be reflected on November 01, 2024

Additionally, presenters should also update their IAFOR account details if there have been any changes to affiliations or biographies.
- https://submit.iafor.org/my-account/edit-account