Browsing by Author "Perkiömäki, Petriina"

This study is about young adults and their experiences about which factors effected to choosing vocational school after they graduated from primary school. I’m also interested to know how the selection is seen today in their lives. Previous studies have shown that student counseling, parents’ educational background and gender all affects to the educational path that teenager chooses. I approached the subject on the basis of these concepts. In my research, I interviewed five 22 to 28 years old young adults who have chosen vocational school. The data was collected by interviewing, using theme interview. The data was analyzed phenomenologically that is focused on the interviewees' experiences and their meanings choosing a vocational school. Study supported previous research and the theoretical background. Student counseling played an important role when the teenager is thinking different options. Parents' educational background also influenced how their children are going to be educated. All the interviewees followed the same lines as their parents. Gender effects were low, although all interviewees represented stereotypically male and female-dominated sectors. The study showed that choosing vocational education is influenced by both internal and external factors. External factors strongly influence to the decision, if the direction is not clear.