Professional Identities of Vocational High School Students and Extracurricular Activities

Abstract

Vocational high schools are one of the controversial topics, and also the hardly touched fields in educational field. Students’ profiles of vocational schools, their visions, and professional identity developments are not frequently reflected in the literature. Therefore, the main aim of the study is to research whether vocational high school students’ professional identities are supported with extracurricular activities. Followingly, it was also researched whether vocational high school students’ future professional identities complied with their selected school and/or specialized fields. The research was conducted on qualitative research approach through semi-structured question form and analyzed via descriptive and content analysis of qualitative research methods. Results revealed that vocational high school students did not take part in extracurricular activities regarding their professional identities since the schools did not organize these activities. The responses also emphasized that existing extracurricular activities organized outside of the school were insufficient and there was an immediate need for such activities. Additionally, most of the participants highlighted that they selected their schools/department as an obligation. Based on the results, it was revealed that vocational and technical high schools should not focus on extracurricular activities to improve students’ basic and further skills. It is suggested that extracurricular activities should be cared more for students’ academic and practice skills. Moreover, the students and their parents should understand and be introduced to the profession before they come to a future decision.