CAREER ANCHORS OF TECHNICAL PERSONNEL (MATHEMATICS MAJORS)

This study was undertaken to identify the career orientations of individuals with mathematics majors, to determine differences in the working interpretations of the orientations for individuals employed in different types of organizations and to identify any situational, family and personal concerns which affect the fulfillment and intensity of individuals' career orientations. Utilizing Schein's career anchor model, 14 current mathematics teachers, 15 former mathematics teachers and 14 nonteaching mathematics majors, chosen because of the recent interest and focus on recruiting and retaining qualified technical personnel, were interviewed.;The following are the major findings of the study: (1) Though all five categories of career anchors are represented in all three groups, there is a preponderance of teachers with security anchors and technical anchors focused on the pedagogy. (2) The majority of former mathematics teachers and nonteaching mathematics majors have technical anchors focused on the utilization of their mathematics skills. (3) Salary has a definite, though not necessarily controlling, impact on teachers' decisions to leave education. (4) Mathematics teachers with a creativity, autonomy or managerial primary or secondary anchors are more likely to leave teaching than those mathematics teachers with security anchors or technical anchors focused on the pedagogy. (5) Boredom, perceived lack of professionalism and perceived lack of administrative support are factors which contribute to the attrition of mathematics teachers. (6) Former mathematics teachers and nonteaching mathematics majors in this study have a significantly higher career versus job orientation than the current mathematics teachers. (7) Former mathematics teachers and nonteaching mathematics majors often have more positive perceptions of career options, employer support and work involvement than do current mathematics teachers. (8) Management implications for technical personnel are linked to the technical person's perceived career orientation and career needs.