This longitudinal study considers beginning teachers’ perspectives relating to the challenges of finding and holding employment and of succeeding in their careers and classrooms. The participants were a group of student teachers who completed one-year Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) in geography at the same Scottish university in 2005–2006. Three issues shaping new teacher identities within the current Scottish context have been identified: employment uncertainty, New Teacher Induction Scheme ethos and expectations, and ensuring continuous and secure EPL.