Understanding Education as a Career Choice for Men: Critical Insights from a Study of North Carolina Research Triangle Youth

This book addresses a critical gap in our understanding of the factors that influence whether men pursue careers in education. Drawing on in-depth interviews with fifteen participants from the North Carolina Research Triangle—four high school juniors and seniors, five undergraduates, and six P-12 educators—the book examines the voices of men at different stages of educational and career development to understand the conditions, influences, and experiences that shape their pathways toward or away from education careers. The analysis reveals three key factors influencing these career decisions: pre-collegiate involvement in community educational organizations, religious organizations, youth groups, and men's groups; parental influence; and the lasting impact of former educators who invested in them, believed in their potential, and supported their educational progress. By exploring the unique and transformational journeys of the participants, the book demonstrates how representation, mentorship, and community support shape career aspirations, offering critical insights for educational institutions seeking to improve recruitment, retention, and development of male educators. Essential reading for students, higher education administrators, and faculty in teacher education, higher education administration, career development, and gender studies in education.