University Students Practising towards Teacher’s Profession in Poland, Latvia and Belarus – Motives and Educational Aspirations Found among Generation ‘Z’

Abstract

Education together with its accompanying plans and hopes becomes a significant element of designing process shaped by an individual and referred to his future career. Motives which determine the decision of taking up higher education training, university course and gaining knowledge significantly determine life realizations, young people’s future jobs and their careerchoice. The following monograph focuses on motives and educational aspirations of students representing generation ‘Z’, who have taken up their studies at the departments of education in Poland, Latvia and Belarus. During the research it was aimed to look for an answerto the following questions: what criteria influenced the students’ choice about the university course? What were their motives to gain higher education? How the respondents estimated their knowledge and skills? How much time do university students spend on studying and how they fill up their free time? How do they perceive current education? What factors allow achievement of their educational aspirations and what attitudes about the future are presented by the students? What, according to the respondents, limits educational development and gaining knowledge? Finally, what are the obstacles in implementing personal plans related to education? The research was conducted among the group of 246 university students. The studyfollowed a diagnostic survey method supported by the author based auditorial questionnaire survey. The thorough analysis was made with the use of SPSS programme. In spite of revealed differences, generally, the research results regarding educational aspirationsof generation ‘Z’ present the examined group as optimists who appreciate their self-development. Mainly it is their personal interests which influences their choice of university studies at educational departments. The studies do not mean social prestige for the examinedand therefore, they rather reject the stereotype of being a good student. They are flexible and combine university course with work which is supposed to be their passion. This circle of students mainly praise quick action and practical solutions, still looking ahead towards future even if they are aware of the fact that the studies do not guarantee an employment inteacher’s profession.