Comparing career identities and choices of pre-service early childhood teachers between Australia and China

Australia and China are experiencing increasing need for trained early childhood teachers. Career identity and work choices are critical ingredients for achievement in career outcomes. This study reports on a survey undertaken by early childhood pre-service teachers from China and Australia regarding identity and choices for early childhood teaching. Significant similarities and differences of career identity suggest that Australian respondents have higher career aspirations to be an early childhood teacher than Chinese counterparts, but contradictorily the Australian respondents preferred teaching in primary schools. Reasons, views and intentions to work in early childhood education were key points of comparable interest.