Investigation of career development of school administrators in context of career aims and expectations

The aim of this research is investigating career development of school administrators in context of career aims. For this purpose, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with the help of school principals and principals working in state schools in Bilecik province, adopting a qualitative approach. In the first part of the research, definitions of career concept and career theories were mentioned, and in the second part, teaching as a profession and teaching career steps were defined. In the last part, the subject, purpose, method and findings of the study were mentioned and suggestions were made. As a result of the research, it has been determined that school administrators have the aims and expectations of performing their duties in the best way and contributing to the environment they are in, and rising to the upper levels, but the workload, time and impossibilities do not allow them to realize these aims and expectations. It was concluded that some school administrators entered the teaching profession without career planning during the university period and that they were not satisfied with their current careers and wanted to return to teaching again. In general, it has been determined that all school administrators understand career as a process and a phenomenon that can be improved and they have aims and expectations in the career process. It was also concluded that the school administrators were not adequately trained in career development and they could not find the opportunities to realize career development in working conditions.