Career Choice Influences and Job Satisfaction for Early Career Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers

Abstract

Family and consumer sciences (FCS) education has continued to experience teacher shortages. Maintaining the current teaching force will help alleviate the shortages by providing longevity among practicing teachers. The purpose of this study was to determine the reasons why early career FCS teachers choose to teach, why they chose FCS as their teaching discipline, and their current job satisfaction with their chosen career. An online survey was conducted in a southern state with 26 early-career FCS teachers. Implications for those who recruit and prepare FCS teachers are shared.