Career Choice Vis – A – Vis Personality Factors, Parental and Social Influence and Monthly Income of the Family – A Study

Students in the modern and fast changing world are trying to choose their career in such a way which would ultimately help them to achieve their success in life. Career choice is a major life decision. Each and every individual is coping with dynamic world and its demands. The present investigation has been designed to study the personality factors and impact of parental and social influence on career choice of the students who want to choose their career as engineer. Accordingly, a group of 120 higher secondary students (under West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education) were selected as sample in this investigation. On the other hand, another group of 30 professionals who are engaged in the profession as engineer were also selected as sample in this investigation. Four tools, viz., (a) General Information Schedule (one for the students and the other for professionals), (b) Sixteen Personality Factors [Form-C] Questionnaire (1965), (c) Perceived Impact of Parental Influence Questionnaire and (d) Perceived Impact of Social Influence Questionnaire were used in this investigation. The overall findings reveal that those who want to choose their career as engineer is matched with the professionals. Personality factors take a vital role regarding career choice. The findings also reveal that there seems to be indication of moderate level of parental as well as social influence on career choice. Besides this, monthly income of the family and gender difference also have significant role in connection with career choice. Adequate measures may be taken by parents, teachers, counselors and other well-wishers who are able to help the students to choose a particular career for their future development.