Last modified: 2019-02-01
Abstract
College students whom will be teachers in the future have different readiness in facing their calls as a teacher. This research was conducted to discover the reason why the students choose the Primary Teacher Education (PGSD) as their college major and the influential party behind the decision. The data were collected through a survey of 204 4th semester students of PGSD (male: 47, female: 157). The respondents were asked to fill in an open-ended questionnaire. The qualitative data obtained were analyzed using data categorization based on the similar themes. The similar themes were coded by the researcher to be quantified and analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis. The data categorization resulted in three reasons behind the students’ choice to study in PGSD, i.e. altruistic-intrinsic, extrinsic, and the influence of others. Family has the most important role in the students’ decision when determining the college major (84.318%). More than 50% respondents stated that PGSD was not their first choice. The result is a valuable input for the mentoring program development of the future Elementary School teachers.