How Teachers/Instructors, Parents and Society influence Career choices: a lesson to note

INFLUENCERS OF A CAREER CHOICE

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Career is an occupation usually for a considerable long period of time that has an expectation for progression. Choice refers to a preferred alternative as compared to other options. The choice of a career is thus very significant in every individual in the academic line.

It is very interesting to note that the choice of career is mostly decided during the high school period where youths are exposed to an array of activities and academic curriculum. This period is most crucial as teachers/instructors have a great task to influence the choice of the students. The students are exposed to travels, professions, experiences, advice etc and being a choice, the students are guided by instructors which path to take.

The parents are not left out among influencers of a child’s career. We have seen a good number of children that took after the profession of their parents. This could be as a result of admiration of what the kids see their parents achieve as also seen in their lifestyles.

Friends also do have an influence on a child’s choice of career as friends of like minds tend to carry along one another.

The Intelligence Quotient (IQ) has its own role and instructors tend to influence kids based on the children’s IQ or level of brilliance/intelligence.

The society may also influence the career path and choice of children as the resources devoted to education could determine what the child may be able to undertake. For children in poor educational environment, it can be concluded that their IQ development would be grossly under explored and career choices influenced.

The human capital need of the society also has its own influence. For a child growing up in a society with need for technological advancement and instructors are propelling children towards career choices in that regard, the children are thus influenced by the societal need.

We see cases where adults are uncomfortable with their career choices and probing further would discover they do not have fulfillment in the chosen career probably because those careers were forced on them or their expectations were not met.

Children are victims of forced-upon careers and unfortunately, it gets difficult to make a reverse. We have heard and seen cases where people do not live their careers probably because they had no headway in them or found no passion living those careers.
Not living one’s career does not translate to one not living a fulfilled life however, it is joyful to live one’s career and be fulfilled in it.

For me, during high school, there was a session where each student was asked what we would like to become in future and YES!!! I said I wanted to become a Medical Doctor. This seemed the best option for me as I was in a school for the Gifted and Talented where a few best students nationwide were selected after a thorough examination to attend the school. The choice to be a Medical Doctor seemed very appropriate for me as a science student and I heard a few other students mention same for those of us in the science class. Today, I am glad I am a Medical Doctor despite rough challenges that almost killed my career ambition. And am I fulfilled? Yes!!! I am not in clinical practice but I am positioned to make our hospitals deliver better quality healthcare to patients through health insurance. This to me fulfils my ambition to impact lives and also spares me the toxic environment of clinical practice here in Nigeria.

We must therefore expose children to an array of choices through broadening of exposures for them to have an informed decision. We must be careful to not over-push a child into a career he or she would regret later on in life. Careers should be enjoyed and not endured.

Thank you for your time, would love to read your comments and contributions.