Motives for Choosing a Career vs. Work Motivation

Abstract

Purpose: The article presents the results of research concerning the influence of motives for choosing a career on the level of work motivation in teaching profession.

Methodology: A survey was conducted among a sample of 111 teachers from 53 schools located in Mazovian voivodeship. The subject of analysis focused on teachers’ satisfaction from choosing this profession and their level of job satisfaction. The survey was carried out in 4 groups of teachers characterized by a different motive for choosing their career.

Findings: The results obtained in the abovementioned survey corroborated the hypothesis stating that teachers’ desire to do their job (intrinsic motivation) is related to the effectiveness of motivational systems that do not involve financial rewards.

Practical implications: The results showed by the study can be put into practice when designing motivational systems for teachers, as well as planning and implementing recruiting process in case of this occupational group.

Originality: The presented study and its results serve as an attempt to cover the gap that exists in literature devoted to management. There is a lack of publications that would showcase empirical evidence proving the significance of intrinsic motivation in work at school in the context of the effectiveness of teachers’ motivational processes.