A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Educational trajectories of immigrant-origin youths in Finland: a mixed methods analysis
Authors: Liila Holmberg, Mira Kalalahti, Janne Varjo, Joel Kivirauma, Marja-Liisa Mäkelä, Minna Saarinen, Tuomas Zacheus, Markku Jahnukainen
Publisher: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group
Publication year: 2018
Journal: Journal of Education and Work
Volume: 31
Issue: 7-8
First page : 563
Last page: 578
Number of pages: 16
ISSN: 1363-9080
eISSN: 1469-9435
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13639080.2018.1549728
Web address : https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13639080.2018.1549728
This article examines the educational trajectories envisioned by immigrant-
origin youths. The mixed-methods research draws upon quantitative
(N = 445) and interview data (n = 112). Whereas most prior research
focuses on educational achievement or educational attainment of immigrant-
origin youth, this article focuses on their outlooks concerning
education and occupation. We determined the educational and career
aspirations and expectations immigrant-origin youths have and in the
ways their aspirations differ from those of Finnish-origin youths. We also
seek to discover how this possible aspiration paradox is reflected in the
trajectories envisioned by immigrant-origin youths. We confirm earlier
findings showing that immigrant-origin youths have both a strong belief
in education and the will to achieve success in tertiary-level education.
We also argue for diversity of vocationally oriented youth: whereas
Finnish-origin youths often share determinate vocational outlooks, immigrant-
origin youths are more likely to aim for tertiary education via
vocational education.