Science teachers' opinions on their guidance roles towards high school type and choice of profession

In the guidance provided by science teachers for students' career choice processes, considering the effects of family, social and economic factors is considered an important element. These guidance activities allow students' individual talents and interests as well as environmental conditions to be analyzed. It is seen that teacher guidance plays a guiding role especially in the selection of high school type and in the process of shaping future career choices. While science teachers contribute to students' conscious career choices, it is seen that the difficulties and limitations encountered reduce the effectiveness of this process. The aim of this research is to understand the factors that science teachers take into consideration when guiding students in their career choice processes and the difficulties they encounter in this process. The research was conducted with a case study design, which is one of the qualitative research methods. For the study group; 15 science teachers working in the Alanya district of Antalya province were selected with the purposive sampling method. The science teachers who were consulted were asked to fill out a form asking about their demographic characteristics, and the open-ended questions in the semi-structured interview form developed by the researcher after receiving expert opinion were directed to the science teachers whose opinions were consulted. With the permission of the participants, audio recordings were made and notes were taken. The data obtained as a result of the interviews were subjected to content analysis and codes and themes were created. According to the findings obtained in the research; It was concluded that teachers' guidance by taking into account the interests and skills of the students can be effective in students' career choices, and science courses can increase students' interest in scientificvii careers. However, teachers' lack of knowledge and family/societal pressures limit the efficiency of guidance processes. Our research has shown that cooperation between branches and teachers' creating more awareness of alternative school types such as vocational high schools can help students make more conscious choices in their career choices. According to the opinions of the teachers who contributed to the research; teachers playing a more active role in the guidance process will enable students to make healthier career choices. Providing more comprehensive guidance by considering the personal and academic development of students will strengthen equal opportunities in education and contribute to more conscious decisions in career choices. Keywords: Career Choice, Science Teacher, Vocational Guidance, Interbranch Collaboration, School Type Choice, Teacher Guidance, Career Decisions