© 2018 IJRAR January 2019, Volume 06, Issue 1 www.ijrar.

org (E-ISSN 2348-1269, P- ISSN 2349-5138)

Career Selection & its Various Determinants

Irshad Ahmad Najar * Dr. Masroofa Yousuf**
*Research Scholar, School of Education and Behavioral Sciences,
University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J&K, India
** Contractual Lecturer at Abdul Ahad Azad Memorial College Bemina, Srinagar, J&K.

Abstract

Career selection is one of most important and difficult task as today’s world is more advanced and globalised one. A wrong career
decision would drain all the efforts and resources in to incorrect way and would lead students as well as parents in to deep well of
depression (Kazi et al 2017). The process of making a choice is complex and unique for each individual depending on cognitive
factors and social structures of the individual’s milieu (Braza & Guillo, 2015, Durosaro & Adebanke, 2012). Some students know
exactly what course to pursue while others do not know which one will get them there. In fact, due to the large number of courses
available to students, most of them find themselves switching majors. The whole life of students are continuously revolving in
decision making , a good career selection or decision making would lead a better and fruitful life with less efforts of students as well
as parents. In choosing a right career or making decisions about the career you are going to pursue, many factors are responsible
which have deep roots in making career selection - a life building process. In this paper an attempt has been made by investigators
to give a general portrait of career selection process and to explore the possible factors responsible for good career selection and
their importance. The paper shall also high some of suggestions for better career selection.

Key words: Career Selection, Opportunities, Environment, Personality, Etc

Introduction:

The term “Career” as per the dictionary meaning is an occupation undertaken for a significant period of person’s life and with
opportunities for progress. It plays an important role in shaping the attitude of students towards any chosen discipline and in the
subsequent achievement attained in the field. From the last couple of decades it has attracted the attention of academicians,
professionals and also the public eye due to its varied and complex nature. The term has been defined by various authors from time
to time. Career is the sequence of occupations, jobs and positions occupied during the course of life (Super, 1974). Career choice is
a critical aspect of an individual’s life. Career chosen determines the role pattern need to be played by the individual in the society in
the future (Patton and McMahon, 2014). Career choice is an intricate concept and can be appreciated and understood properly by
splitting it into its key components, i.e., career and choice. “Choice” means “selecting or separating from two or more things that
which is preferred” (Webster’s Dictionary, 1998). “Career choice” involves choosing one occupation over another. Hence, in order
for “career choice” to take place, two conditions are necessary:
(1) Availability of alternative career options; and
(2) An individual/personal preference between these career options.
Redman and Wilkinson (2001) clarifies career as the application of a person’s cognition and capabilities, providing
command over profession, timely work expertise and a basis of developing better business networks. Every student at a certain
juncture in their life has to make a choice regarding their career. The influence of career choice has a lasting impact on an
individual. It serves to be a predictor and determinant of their prospective level of income, nature of work and consequently leaves
a mark on the personality, behavior and outlook of an individual. One major challenge student’s face is to match their career choices
with their abilities and academic performance (Korir and Wafula, 2012). According to Eick (2002), understanding the reasons that
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lead to the choice of career is important because that decision establishes expectations for one’s future and may affect one’s
satisfaction with the career.
Every student carries the unique history of their past and this determines how they view the world. That history created, in
part by the student’s environment, personality, and opportunity, will determine how students make career choices. Today, one has
not only to make due career planning but also exhaustive career research before making a career choice so as to adjust with the
evolving socio-economic conditions (Wattles, 2009). Career choice is influenced by multiple factors including personality, interests,
self concept, cultural identity, globalization, socialization, role model, social support and available resources such as information
and financial (Kerka, 2000). Bandura et al., (2001), is of the view that each individual undertaking the process is influenced by
several factors including the context in which they live in, their personal aptitudes, social contacts and educational attainment.
Hewitt, (2010) posit that factors influencing career choice can either be intrinsic, extrinsic or both; further he states that most people
are influenced by careers that their parents favour, others follow careers that their educational choices have opened for them, some
choose to follow their passion regardless of how much or little it will make them while others choose the careers that give high
income.
Many students fail because of an apparently unsuitable selection of the course of study (Singh, 1968). This may largely be
due to the fact that a child’s attitude is likely to be affected by his interest in a particular discipline and which in turn may affect his
performance (von Mizener and Williams, 2009). If students are interested in a field, they are more likely to be successful in that
field because interest in a field may produce high motivation.

Factors Effecting Career Selection

Career choice is one of the biggest dilemma and challenge in student’s life. It involves interplay of many factors which are
intricately intertwined. It is one of the most important decisions a student or a professional has to make. Whether that decision is to
select a specialization, organization or a profession, it should be made after careful consideration of the each and every factor having
an impact on it. This choice is crucial as it shall drive what will be the individual’s daily schedule for the rest of their life.
Furthermore, it will have a direct impact on their other aspects of life such as life style, self-satisfaction, work-life balance and
quality of life. It is not a straightforward task and involves a difficult process of decision making. In case of a wrong choice, it may
lead to resultant failure and disappointment.
It is such an intricate process that its decision will impact them throughout their lives. Every student carries the unique history of
their past and this determines how they view the world. That history created, in part by the student’s environment, personality,
interests and opportunity, will determine how students make career choices. It then follows that how the student perceives their
environment, personality, and opportunity also will determine the career choices students make. The three major areas affecting
career choice were environment, personality and opportunity.

1. Environment:
The first factor in career choice, environment may influence the career students choose. For example, students who have lived on an
island may choose a career dealing with the water, or they may choose to leave the island behind, never to have anything to do with
water again. Research shows homes, schools and the social setup influence an individual’s career choice greatly. Parents’
educational background may influence student views on whether or not to continue their education or to which profession they
should go with (Hearn 1984, 1988). Parents should always take time to talk things over with their wards rather than imposing their
opinions on the children as they are of tender age, they should be given the opportunity to make their contributions in taking
decisions on issues that impact their lives. In environmental sphere there are various factors which affect the career choice and
selection of individuals; it can be parent’s education, socio-economic status, school setup, family needs in particular and societies in
general. Research reveals that parent’s educational level and their socio-economic status is linked with the student’s career and is
most important factor in student’s career decision as Socio-economic factors are important in motivating the students to make career

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decisions (Grissmer, 2003; Ogunlade, 1973; Sukovieff, 1991). School standard and its set up in the form of curriculum options,
hidden curriculum, and school culture too play an important role in determining students’ career choice. School’s role is to provide
accurate guidance, and also encourage students to continue with education and not drop out (Oladele, as cited in Nyarko-Sampson
2013).

2. Personality:
Students have seen themselves in a role in which personality is a determining factor, may influence a chosen career. Some careers
demand that you have the personality to match the qualities of the occupation. For example, sales people have to be outgoing.
Splaver (1977) states that “personality” plays an important role in the choosing of the right career. A student’s personality must be a
self-motivated type, as to investigate career possibilities from early on in their lives, and not the procrastinating type that waits until
they are compelled to decide. Students must take seriously the role grades play in limiting opportunities in the future. Splaver went
on to say, “It is important for you to have a good understanding of yourself, your personality, if you are to make intelligent career
plans” (Splaver, 1977). Being interested in a particular profession is very important as interest is strongly bonded with career
decision making. If a student is forced into a career, he may exhibit low self-esteem and poor performance (Suutari, 2003)

3. Opportunity:
Opportunity is the third factor that has shaped career choices for students. Opportunity may influence how students have perceived
their future in terms of the reasonable probability of a future in particular career fields. The issue of poverty has played an important
determining role in the opportunities available to all. The income level of high school families may determine what career a student
chooses during a specific time in the student’s life; choices that will determine a large part of that student’s future. Some students
will have to budget education according to their personal income. Thout (1969) addressed those in desperate need, “Where
necessary, these persons must be assisted through special training programs to overcome educational and social handicaps so that
minimum job standards can be met”. Students in many cases will need the proper mentoring opportunities to succeed. These support
groups will be another opportunity that if properly implemented, can help a student in the career choice process. The support system
must have been in place and readily available for the student to utilize. The creation of support groups will have to be in place to
sustain the student through times of financial, emotional, and educational need.
It can be safely concluded here that in ones choosing career not just a single factor has an impact on this life building process but
undoubtedly is one delicate process where so many factors go together in helping an individual in choosing a right career and
ultimately then helping him or her in succeeding in the same.

Conclusion
From the aforementioned views it is clear that choosing a right career is not an easy job like stressing just on interest or on
factors that we often put at the platform at the time of choosing any career related issue. The above review has clearly emphasized
how other factors including personality, environment, attitudes, family backgrounds and other such factors that we often put on hold
and consequently demotivates an individual in the same chosen career later on. To abbreviate our above discussion we can safely
conclude here that all the above highlighted factors should be given equal weightage without any external push as exerting pressure
and dictatorial attitude may demotivate the students and also lower their performance. Moreover, it requires a balance between the
freedom given to the pupil to make an independent decision, and counseling on behalf of the parents and teachers, to share their
insight and experience.

Suggestions

1. Career service providers should assist students by availing to them a wider source of career information to help them explore
different alternatives.
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2. Family should be given an appropriate weightage in helping an individual while choosing or picking any course of study.
3. Personality and environmental factors both play an important role in choosing or pursuing any particular kind of course so proper
attention and emphasis should be placed on both these factors.
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