Development of Preschool Student Teachers’ Competencies for Career Development and Management

Abstract

The training of students for career management and their preparation for inclusion in the world of work is one of the key competences of modern society. Providing support to students in taking responsibility and an active role in their future career development should represent a significant segment of initial [college/undergraduate] education of preschool teachers. The aim of this research was to determine student’s opinion on ways of improving career competencies during initial education through the following tasks: 1) what skills in the field of career management students want to develop within the initial education 2) through which forms / types of activities it is possible to provide support to students in this field. Students of the final year of elementary studies (N = 45) and specialist and master studies (N = 55) were surveyed. Material, technical and human resources in the school were analysed. The results of the research indicate that first of all students want to further develop the skills to conduct interviews with employers, research and self-assessment of skills, knowledge, and personality traits and skills and communication in a foreign language. In accordance with available human and material resources in the school and suggestions made by students regarding possible ways of improving career skills, the realization of a research and development project that focuses on instruction/student training in the field of skills is deemed necessary. The sustainability of the project would involve the expansion of activities: online realization, as well as the establishment of a Centre for Management and Career Development.