Before discussing details about what career choice is suitable for an individual, let us understand what factors determine your career choices.

The major factors that influence career choices in my opinion are the following:

Community Family/Relations Affluence/Affordability Dreams Changing trends Immediate Needs of Family

Community
The community you live in decides the 'Standard' career option. A Cosmopolitan culture promotes modeling, fashion as a suitable career and sneers at jobs like Engineer, Doctor. For a middle class modeling etc are hi-fi and Engineering etc are most practical choices. Based on exact location of a family at the 'time to decide' the career choices get filtered. Friends also play a major role in career choice.

Family/Relations
Another factor that plays a role is family occupation and most favored career among relations. This typically triggers an argument from family and relations - why do you want to become a doctor when everyone in our family is a engineer? Sometimes it happens the opposite also. Your brother is an Engineer, so you should become a doctor.

Affluence/Affordability
Affluence/Affordability typically decides whether family can afford to invest the money a career choice will involve. This is a deciding factor in many cases. 'No I can't afford to spend so much money on your studies' can influence the choices but in view of scholarships this may not be valid.

Dreams
Dreams, motivations and aspirations of children and parents influence career options. Father could not become a doctor so he decides that is the best career choice for his son. Or a child has seen a Doctor who inspired him and he wants to become a doctor at any cost. Inspiration in its varying degrees shapes the dreams of people and career choices get influenced.

Changing Trends
Changing Trends in Society also influence career choices. Over past few decades Engineering, MBA were most talked about career options and now Software Career is what everyone aspires for. Most lucrative jobs become obvious career choice. This does not mean all other career options are not popular. With increasing popularity of other media like Cable TV a host of opportunities have opened up. A career in modeling, anchoring are a few to name. Or sudden popularity of 'Super Chef' glamorizes the Hotel Management careers.

Immediate needs of family
Some families have immediate needs of an earning member and the child decides to go for the job now without going for higher studies. This overrides any other thinking related to career choices.

The above are a list of factors that can decide career choice in many cases but not always.

Ultimately it is the hard work and sincerity of an individual that makes a difference in his success. Anyone can prosper in their career once they start enjoying it. You will always hear of cases where people took lot of efforts to get into a career and state that they are in the wrong profession. You will also hear where people become successful though they never wanted to come into that career.

Time for Reflection:

Take a few minutes to reflect. Write down your answers. It always helps.

What is the importance I give to the above factors for my career? Why?

If you are already working then think about which factor played a major role in your career?

Send your comments to cskishore@yahoo.com with subject: career guidance