Motivational Profiles of Gen Z PPG Prajabatan Students in Indonesia: A Midpoint-Benchmark FIT-Choice Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62007/joumi.v4i1.788Keywords:
FIT-Choice; Gen Z; preservice teachers; midpoint-benchmark; non-fallback orientationAbstract
Background: Teacher supply and early-career sustainability remain pressing concerns, and understanding why Gen Z preservice teachers choose teaching is crucial for both policy and career guidance. Yet, evidence from Indonesia’s PPG Prajabatan pathway is still limited, particularly regarding whether teaching is pursued as a first-choice career or a fallback option. Aim: This study profiled Gen Z PPG Prajabatan students’ motivations for choosing teaching using the FIT-Choice framework and highlighted “non-fallback orientation” as a key interpretive lens. Method: A cross-sectional quantitative descriptive survey was administered to 370 Gen Z preservice teachers in an Indonesian teacher professional education program. Responses used a 7-point Likert scale, and a midpoint-benchmark strategy (test value = 4) was applied through one-sample t-tests alongside descriptive statistics. Results: The motivational profile was dominated by high prior teaching/learning experiences, intrinsic career value, and ability beliefs, while the fallback career dimension was comparatively low and statistically below the midpoint, indicating that teaching was generally not construed as a second-choice option. Most other constructs were statistically above the midpoint, suggesting broad endorsement of FIT-Choice motivational domains, with program-entry factors showing a smaller effect. Implications: Findings support career guidance practices that consolidate intentional commitment by strengthening self-efficacy, sustaining intrinsic value, and leveraging formative teaching experiences, while proactively managing expectations about task demands and professional returns to support retention.
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