External Influences on Career Decision - Essay Example

?External Influences on Career Decision Introduction Decision making is one of the toughest in life and particularly choosing a career is one of the biggest, toughest, and most important decision in one’s life. When the stage of career decision occurs there would be so many aspects that would act as external influences. Who and what are these influences depend solely on the person. Career – the focus of most of life’s activities. Right from the time an infant is born, what he or she will become is the question on everyone’s minds. Whether the child is going to be a doctor or a businessman or a soldier would be the thought running in the mind of every parent. A few years down the line, the child starts asking the same question, “When I grow up what will I be?” like the words of the famed song “Que Sera Sera.” Today a child sees a toy engine and wants to be an engine driver, tomorrow he sees the smart firemen on their shiny fire engines and he wants to be a firefighter, the next day he sees Superman on TV and wants to be him. Even when the child visits a doctor he immediately wants to be him. Every day he wants to be something new, something wonderful, something adventurous. Gradually, as he grows into a teenager, he wants to do something great like to become an astronaut flying into space, a scientist making the most important inventions, and so on. Then the time comes when he has to actually make the decision. What is he going to do? It is a very difficult question. Very few have an answer ready, though one has mulled over it a million times in the past. Let us consider these lucky ones or smart ones who have already decided what they are going to do with their lives. Who are they? We can call them the lucky ones because they have recognized their innate ability, their talent. These are the ones who have been born with some extraordinary skill and have been able to identify this talent or skill either on their own or with the help of others. It could be a great voice, ear for music, a talent for dancing, sporting, mimicry, acting, painting, or sculpting. They are the geniuses. They know what they want to do with their life and that becomes their career choice, or more accurately their passion in life. This is more of an internal influence on career choice. There is no confusion. He simply aims to reach the pinnacle of excellence in that field. These are the extremely talented people who are lucky to have identified their talents. Hence, we can say that they fall into the category of the chosen few. The next category of people being those who are less talented but extremely interested in specific fields – these fields mostly include the arts like music, painting, etc., or any specific sporting activity. These people are passionate about their interests and don’t mind working really hard to groom themselves to acquire success in their field of interest. This again is an internal influence. So, an internal influence can be defined as “originating within the individual” and the main motivation here is individual satisfaction” (Duffy and Dik, 2009). External influences are those “which originate outside the individual” and the main motive is to satisfy this “external factor or criteria.” There are too many external influences on an individual’s career choice. It is not possible to list all of them. But in this research we will make an attempt to study the major ones. First of all the external influences are of two kinds – those that motivate and those that restrict. Motivating factors could be the people around you, your needs, and your inspirations. Constraints could be your belonging to a certain race or gender, living in a certain geographic location, the resources at your disposal (financial or otherwise). But, as we can see, though most of them are not within ones personal control, all these factors do play a major role in the choice of career. Family Most studies show that the family and the immediate social environment play a major role in a person’s life and thereby affect most of the choices one makes. A person’s values, interests, and skills are often a legacy from his family. Studies show that parents are always a major factor in deciding which career path their children take (Christian site Crown Financial Ministries). Parents hold a very important role in terms of knowing their child and being able to guide and mentor them (Giuseppe Spezzano, 2010 ). Family expectations and needs can affect individuals at all stages of career decision making, from the adolescent seeking a first job to the seasoned worker looking for new employment (Phillips et al., 2001). For instance if the parents are educated in a specific field and are themselves holding high level jobs, then they have similar expectations from the child. It is noted that often children choose professions that are similar to those of their parents. Children of lawyers and doctors are often seen taking up the professions same as of their parents and becoming part of the family professional practice. The same also happens if the family owns a successfully running business. Then the child is expected to become a part of it. He grows up working in the business and gets trained there. He may later attend college and obtain a degree in that particular field to join the business hoping to take it beyond what his parents have achieved with the help of additional knowledge that he has probably gained. These influences can be seen as positive if that is what the child wants to do. But more often it so happens that that is not what the child wants to do. This is more so in the current world, where the next generation is exposed to a wide range of information on the lifestyle and career options mostly linked to each other. Hence, his interests lie elsewhere and he wants to pursue a totally different line of work. In such cases there could be several outcomes. May be, the child succumbs to parental pressure and toes the line of the parent’s thinking or the child rebels and does what he wants against the will of the parents or the parents accept the child’s desire and encourage him to do what he wants. Of the three possibilities listed above, the third would probably be the ideal solution. But how often do the parents take this path, is a major question. More often children succumb to parental pressure and end up with careers they are not all that interested in or suitable for. It is seen that in many cases parents are seen enforcing their desires, dreams, and aspirations on their children. They want their children to achieve all that they did not. This is the worst kind of scenario and puts tremendous amount of pressure on the child, especially if he is the only child for his parents and he has to fulfill the aspirations of both the parents. Within this category of “family factors,” certain sub-categories can also be identified. Educational Background of Parents Children of educated parents grow with a better understanding of the career options they can choose from. They are aware of the importance of a good education and how far it will affect their future. Right from childhood, it is dinned into them that only if they gain a good education, they will be able to have a good career which is essential for a brighter future. Socioeconomic Status Children born in families that enjoy a good socioeconomic status will have the advantage of better schools, good education and therefore they will have a wider choice when it comes choosing their careers as against children belonging to families with lower socioeconomic status. Extended Family Influence of family would not only include the immediate family members but also the extended family members. For instances successful aunts and uncles, cousins may also influence a person when he or she is deciding what he is going to do? Proper guidance given by successful members of the family is often a great guiding force and inspiration when it comes to choosing a career. Cultural Background Cultural background has a major influence on career choices. In certain cultures career in modeling is still a taboo whereas internationally it is a sought after career. While there could be exceptions vast majority of the population belonging to certain cultures would not prefer certain careers. Family Needs There are times when the needs of one’s family take precedence over everything. Financial difficulties in the family often force a person to take up a career even though he may not be interested in it because it is more lucrative in terms of financial returns. Unpredictable Characteristic of Life Family needs leads to another major external influence on the career we choose and that is life’s unexpected situations, the total unpredictability of life to put one into the most trying circumstances where he/she is forced to do things that he might not have done otherwise. Life is full of events that cannot be controlled. These events may affect life positively or negatively. For instance losing a job might result in a better job being offered. That is a positive event. On the other hand poverty might force you to take a different career rather than the one you desired. That would be a negative example. Then there are changes in economic and market conditions that may be caused by historical events and natural disasters. They can ripple through the work world and affect job opportunities and resources (Hotchkiss and Borow, 1996; Johnson and Mortimer, 2002). A clear example of this phenomenon would be the earthquake in Japan which has destroyed the country’s economy. In such a drastic situation it is difficult to even imagine what kind of future the country has. Its effects will be seen for considerable time in terms of both the careers offered and the careers opted for. Then there are wars which also have a major socio-economic impact. The instability of the economy leaves no scope for proper career choices. In such situations jobs are taken up for the sole purpose of meeting basic requirements. In other words, it may be a Hobsons choice and you take the first job that comes on your way. Similarly, events in an individual’s life can force him to make career decisions which may not really be ideal for him for instance an injury or a major financial loss. When something like this happens the individual is forced to give up his personal aspirations in order to meet his immediate requirements. The 2000 Census data show that approximately one in every five American has some type of disability and one in ten have a severe disability (Waldrop and Stern, 2003) that could affect the career choices. Disability would severely limit the career choices of a person. He/she would be forced to choose a career which would suit his disability rather than one that he wants. Life is so unpredictable that one can never be sure how it is going to affect our career. It could take us up the ladder of success or could simply dump us into the pits. So it can be considered as one of the major influences in career choice. Friends/Peer Groups Friends and the peer groups play a major role in career choice. If the individual belongs to a group of hardworking students, then there will be the tendency to work hard, get good grades and make serious career choices. On the other hand, if students belong to a fun-loving peer group, then their career choice will also reflect the ideas of such a group. Students are often seen taking up courses chosen by the more popular students of the gang rather than those which are most suited to them. As a result, they find themselves with in fields least suited to their interests. Often it is too late to make changes and they end up choosing careers in which they have no interest in. Peer groups also work in a positive way. If an underachiever belongs to a group of hardworking, highly motivated students, he soon gets inspired and tries to work equally hard as a result of which his career options look brighter. Teachers/Role Models According to a study done (Kristin et al., 2002) to understand the influence of role models on college students’ career decidedness, a supportive, high-quality role model relationship can benefit both male and female college students as they make career decisions. An individual may be benefitted by his role model directly when he chooses to imitate him and choose a similar career as the role model or indirectly when the role model offers support and has a healthy relationship with the individual whereby he can influence the choice made by him. Good teachers also influence students in their career choices. When teachers make a subject interesting, students develop a liking for it and often choose careers in those fields. In the same way a bad teacher can cause students to develop a dislike for a subject and may result in a reluctance to take up the particular subject even if he may have an aptitude for it. Thus teachers and role models have a very major influence of students deciding on their careers. Society Career choices are also influenced by the way society perceives a particular career. For instance doctors, engineers and lawyers are generally held in high regard by a conservative society as against certain other careers. While a career in law is a highly popular and lucrative profession in the United States, in most Asian countries engineering is more popular. So in every society at different points of time certain careers are treated with respect and some are not. So obviously the choice one makes will definitely be influenced by what people are going to think of you if you choose against the norm. Most students tend to stick to the norm. There are very few who have the guts to choose differently, face the obstacles put in their path by society and emerge successful. They then become the role models of the future generations. Monetary Gains and Benefits Money plays a crucial role when it comes to deciding one’s career. With society becoming more and more materialistic, students are attracted towards careers that offer maximum monetary benefits. The markets are flooded with so many attractive things like the latest electronic gadgets, fast cars and designer clothes. Then there are luxury apartments, vacation houses, private schools for children, membership in exclusive clubs and so on. The list is never ending. And to be on top of all these things one requires a really heavy pay packet. So when it comes to choosing a career, the students are first attracted by the salary offered. A couple of years in the chase and then some of them might get disillusioned by the mad rush and settle for jobs which give them more job satisfaction. Media The impact of media on people especially children and youth is very strong. They are easily swayed by what is portrayed in the media especially the electronic media (television and internet) which has a great impact upon their minds. Media tends to glamorize certain professions like modeling, music, crime investigation, sports like soccer and cricket. Youngsters get attracted to the lifestyle of the models and sportsmen and want to be like them. They may or may not have the necessary skill or talent or even the interest required for a career in such field but they are fascinated by the popularity and aspire to choose such careers. Unpredictability of the Job Market The job market is forever changing. There are continuous changes in the economy which keeps affecting the job market. Industries are forever rising and falling. It is impossible to accurately predict the market. One can never be sure which way it is going to turn. For instance, in the past decade IT has ruled the job market. It has been the most popular of courses with most students opting for it. At one point this industry was the most lucrative but now it is saturated. Gradually it is losing its attraction. New careers are emerging in areas like bio-medics, nanotechnology, renewable energy, etc. Creative Pastimes and Careers The trend of creative pastimes becoming successful careers has been prevalent from quite some time. Women who excel in knitting, crocheting, and sewing, artwork, baking and similar other pastimes often make successful career selling their products. They begin small and gradually build up a fairly big and loyal clientele for their merchandise. Custom-made table cloths, napkins, serviettes, etc., are becoming popular wedding gifts. The internet has made it possible for them to advertise their products easily and reach more people. Advertising Nowadays, the concept of advertising has also gained prominence in the field of career guidance. For instance, institutes training personnel in the hospitality industry like airhostesses, hotel management, have started advertising to make people aware of the lucrative careers available in these fields. Though the hospitality industry is a huge one, it is not always the first choice of most people. Not many people are aware that there are many customer service jobs that carry a high degree of prestige and compensation (Scott Hayden: Industries that have the best paid customer service Jobs). So, training institutes have taken to advertising the career options available in these fields. Religion In most societies in the world, religion and spirituality play a crucial role in the overall social life style. Every aspect of their life is governed by religion, so it is no surprise when research suggests that religious factors “relate positively to desirable career development outcomes such as career decision self-efficacy, career maturity, and job satisfaction (Duffy and Blustein, 2005; Duffy, 2006; Duffy and Lent, 2008). For many individuals “faith plays a critical role in the career decision-making process. These individuals believe in a “Divine will” (e.g., Constantine et al., 2006), and see career decision making as “a general process of trying to discern God’s will.” For instance, people belonging to religions that advise against consumption of alcohol and gambling would not be encouraged to take up careers in those fields or people believing in religions that preach nonviolence to animals may not prefer a career in cooking or being a chef which would involve cooking of meat, etc. Career Choice and Social Service A comfortable lifestyle is what most of the younger generation look for when choosing a career, but there are a set of youngsters who think of society also. These definitely belong to the minority section but their existence cannot be denied. They believe in doing something for the society, the country, for humanity at large. There are some who dedicate their entire life to it and then there are others who do it through some kind of social work for a few hours a week. Lawyers doing pro bono work, doctors making weekly trips to villages to give free treatments and teachers taking free tuitions for the poor are only a few. There are thousands who assist theses professionals by giving their valuable time. The desire to serve can be seen as an internal influence because it comes from within the individual but what sparks this desire could be an external influence like being inspired by someone in the family, a role model like Mother Theresa or some major personal disaster. Events in one’s life may also spark and interest in doing service. A battered person may join a society helping abused women; a person who has lost a child to cancer might join a Cancer counseling center, and so on. Then being in the midst of a natural calamity also has been seen to motivate individuals to leave their jobs and help. Seeing news coverage of disasters often has hundreds of people volunteering to establish and be part of help groups. These are people who take up social service as part-time work. But there are others who dedicate their entire lives to social service. They are those for whom personal satisfaction takes precedence over physical comforts. Choosing a career in the defense services would also fall in this category. Individuals who choose a career in defense are highly motivated by a desire to save the motherland. Very often they are from families who have a long history of defense careers. They grow up in an environment where social service and service to the nation are seen as most honorable and choosing any other profession would be a very dishonorable thing to do. This idea is ingrained in their minds and they dedicate their lives to society. External Influences on Career Choices – Women While all the above influences apply to women also, there are some specific factors which play an important role especially with respect to women’s career choices. Some of them are discrimination, motherhood, and media (Dianne Heath). When women want to opt for careers that are non-traditional such as mechanics, electrician, they have to face intense discrimination. Often the situation becomes so bad that they give up and seek more traditionally acceptable jobs like a teacher or nurse. Motherhood Women have to consider the responsibilities at home before choosing a career since they are expected to take on most of the responsibility of raising the family. For instance women with infants are forced to choose careers which do not keep them away from home for long hours. Media and Career for Women The media also plays a crucial role in “defining social roles and norms” (Dianne Heath). Media in many societies portrays the ideal woman as one who manages to maintain a perfect balance between home and career. In their struggle for equality, women seem to have taken upon them additional burden, where they are now expected to excel in both areas. Sometimes the burden becomes too difficult to handle and women give up good careers because they feel guilty about not giving enough time for the children and the family. Conclusion Though an attempt has been made to list the major external influences on career choices, there are also other unseen factors that influence ones career decision. While all the factors discussed in this paper do influence an individual’s career, ultimately the degree to which each of these factors affect the final choice depends on that particular individual’s personality and his socioeconomic environment. Works Cited 1. Duffy, Ryan D., and Bryan J. Beyond the self: external influences in the career development process, 2009. 2. Parents Influence Career Decisions. http://www.crown.org/Library/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=466. 3. Dianne Heath. Social Factors That Influence Women’s Career Choices, 2011. 4. Duffy, RD. Spirituality, religion, and career development: Current status and future directions. 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