Choice of study: Social educator (vernepleier). A student?s world, searching for meaning and identity: From choice of education to professional caretaker

Project summary

This study analyses narratives from students about choice of study and the student-university encounter. In late modern society we find that the human being is in search of his identity and in need of acknowledgement as central motivations. These are specific concepts in what has been named ?the culture of authenticity?. To define your own identity is a work of reflective thinking as well as a road paved with risks: you may fail in finding your self, in being your self or making your self come true. Acceptance and acknowledgment have become concepts of central value in struggling with identity problems as the concept of dialogue. However, the striving ?to be my self? have to be anchored somewhere. This ?somewhere? can be ?framework of common values? according to the philosopher Charles Taylor; how can ?ethics of authenticity? consider both the values of individuality and the demand from an outer horizon? In this longitudinal search I follow students through their study and along the five first years as a professional caretaker. My study is linked to the StudData-study, leading by Centre of Professional Studies, Oslo University College. My study is mixed between quantitative date from the StudData-study and my own interviews from a selection of students, but quantitative dates are submitted a hermeneutic-phenomenological perspective, promoted in ?text and numbers?.