How to Support Students’ Career Choices in School? A Mixed Methods Study with Italian In-Service Teachers

Career-related teacher support refers to the specific guidance provided by teachers to students in navigating their career development and making career choices. This study focuses on secondary school teachers’ perceptions of their role in supporting students’ career choices within the Italian educational context. Using a mixed-methods design, this study surveyed 237 Italian secondary school teachers to understand career-related teacher support. The results of thematic cluster analysis revealed five clusters: “Socratic Teacher,” “Teacher as Coach,” “Competent Teacher,” “Teacher as Oracle,” and “Listening Teacher.” Each cluster presents a distinct perspective on how teachers perceive their role in guiding students’ career choices, emphasizing aspects such as empathy, career exploration guidance, personalized support, active listening, and students’ self-assessment. Teachers are recognized as key figures not only in the academic success of their students, but also in fostering students’ personal growth and career readiness. These findings have significant implications for teacher training and professional development, and underscore the need for increased support and resources to enable teachers to fulfill their critical role in guiding students toward successful career pathways in the evolving educational landscape.