Motivational Factors in Choosing a Teaching Career from Students: A Comparison Between Philology and Physical Education

The teaching profession, in particular, requires a unique blend of passion, expertise, dedication, and ethical responsibility, and the motivations behind this career choice are a topic of considerable interest and importance. This study aims to identify whether there are motivational differences related to the choice of teaching career in terms of students from the Faculty of Letters and those from Physical Education and Sport at the University of Oradea. The study is based on the application of a 20-item questionnaire to a group of 227 students, in relatively equal proportions from Letters and Physical Education and Sport. Analyzing the differences between the faculties regarding each factor, it turned out that there is no significant difference between the processed responses. The most important predictors, as we have mentioned, were long-term attractiveness and perceived training. Even though the teaching profession for the students included in the research sample presents numerous challenges, and even though, from their point of view, it is not the most appreciated profession in Romania, this aspect has shown to have a smaller influence compared to the other two factors. Another conclusion that is required is the need to rethink and reconsider the specific pedagogical practice under the current requirements.