Full edition for scientific use. The education system in Austria (as well as several other education systems in other countries) is facing challenges due to a significant shortage of teachers. Opinions about the reasons for this shortage as well as what measures should be taken are diverse. In the project "Studium & Schule", we decided to examine the various characteristics, traits, and differences among Austrian students who are preparing to become (or already working as) teachers in schools. The study was divided into a quantitative and a qualitative part. We used a comprehensive questionnaire for students, with and without study-related teaching activities, to collect data from 1643 prospective teachers at several universities and university colleges for teacher training in Austria. The quantitative part of the questionnaire focused on relevant topics and scales such as theory-practice gap, well-being, employment issues in schools collecting multilayered information regarding professional life and learning process of future teachers. For those who teach already, we introduced questions on the workload and support in schools, self-image as a prospective teacher, self-efficacy, main issues with the job, etc. The qualitative part aimed at investigating how student teachers make decisions about their future career as a teacher, conditional factors for early career entry, employment and its effects on their studies.