An Alternative Way for Primary School 4th-Grade Students to Get to Know Professions: Please, Tell About Your Profession

The aim of this study is to explore primary school students’ levels of occupational awareness and their perceptions of different professions through out-of-school learning experiences. The research was conducted during the 2022–2023 academic year with 108 fourth-grade students from four different schools. The study was designed using a qualitative case study approach. A semistructured interview form was developed and used as the data collection tool to examine students’ awareness of professions they aspire to in the future. The data were analyzed using content analysis. During the analysis process, students’ responses were coded, categorized, and organized under themes that reflect their perceptions and experiences. The findings indicate that occupational field visits contribute to students’ awareness of professions, enhance their interest, and support their understanding of different career options. In addition, such experiences help students form more concrete and meaningful perceptions about professions. The results suggest that introducing professions through experiential learning environments at an early age plays an important role in developing students’ occupational awareness and interests.