Discover Your Routes

You are deciding which career to choose and what educational track to take in pursuit of that goal, but where does the influence of your family play into this decision? In some families, this can be a large influence on a person’s choice in the path he or she takes in life, especially if certain career fields have a long tradition in the family’s past.

One case where tradition is a prevalent issue deals with the military. In some families, there is the possibility of two or more generations joining the military, such as the army. It can be a great source of pride for the individual choosing to follow in his or her relative’s footsteps, and is usually greatly supported in the family. The individual may have heard stories of the older relative’s service, good memories from that time, and the benefits of following this path. Schooling may even follow the same track as the older relative, being a military academy, prep school, or other institution that would offer effective preparation for this type of career choice.

This can also come in the guise of a general choice in career on your own part. If the person chooses to pursue a certain career, this can engender family support or condemnation depending on the family’s values, history, and attitudes. When choosing a career, it is important to be aware of this influence, and to make a choice based on what is best for the individual.