Table 1
Example of development of analysis from topics to the final theme 1: The tour guidance paradox.
| DATA | TOPIC | CODE | INITIAL THEMES | FINAL THEME |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ‘I am very grateful for the support from home. I have always had the possibility to do what I have liked and have not felt any larger pressure to be anything. I have had good advice and support financially and mentally.’ (uni 6) | Support | Family important | The guided tour | |
| ‘During the conversation, the guidance counselor also asked me if I had considered other options because it is good to apply for several programs.’ (uni 8) | Support | Widening of alternatives | The guided tour | The tour guidance paradox |
| ‘The guidance counselor had made a case for Åbo Akademi University and I got the impression that it was the only option for us.’ (uni 13) | Support | No alternatives | The charter tour | |
| ‘When it was time to apply to universities, it was my mother who suggested teacher studies to me.’ (uni 9) | Support | No alternatives | The charter tour | |
| ‘One thing I remember clearly was when I had a conversation with my counselor was that (s)he started asking questions very quickly and kind of trying to push a choice out of me.’ (uni 7) | Support | Guided but pressure | The guided tour can be a lonely ride | |
| ‘We probably had conversations with a guidance counselor and did some form of career choice tests but have no memory of them. Have no memory of feeling any kind of support from a guidance counselor or teacher either.’ (uni 3) | Support | Bad experience | The guided tour can be a lonely ride | |
| ‘I remember that one day after school I googled different programs […] Then suddenly I found the health sciences program [..] As soon as I read about the program, it felt right[..] My guidance counselor had never heard of this program[..]’ (uni 17) | Support | I have managed on my own | The lonely ride |