The Influence and Involvement of Family Members in Career Decision-Making

Research Questions and Hypotheses

1. How do the family environment and parents’ adopted beliefs influence decision-making and the general career path their children choose? 2. What is the relationship between different factors that determine career decisions? (Income, social standing, societal contribution, etc.) H1: There is a relationship between parental and familial engagement in career decision-making. H2: Women tend to be more influenced by their parents’ career involvement than men. H3: There is no link between the elements that drive career decisions (income, social standing, societal contribution, etc.) and the level of career satisfaction. Research Design The data collected for this study is analyzed quantitatively by percentages. The data is qualitatively analyzed by compiling descriptive data to understand the respondents’ perspectives. The survey conducted is designed to gather data quantitatively while also presenting a qualitative component that allows participants to identify which parent is more involved in their academic progress and major choice or to indicate a lack of engagement from their parents concerning their career decisions. These methods allow us to look at both the nature and relationship of familial influence and other factors on a student’s career decision.

Ethical Guidelines

To effectively survey students, we applied to the IRB to ensure that our survey follows ethical guidelines. To ensure ethical conduct, participation in our study is entirely voluntary and will not affect participants in any manner. Since our research respects confidentiality, all participants and their identities will remain anonymous. As a result, the responses of participants will be combined with those of others to obtain totals and averages.

Introduction

Making career choices is a challenging process for anybody, particularly emerging adults. This choice can be influenced by parents and other relevant people. As a result, the link between parental influence and teenage career choices must be investigated to minimize student career delays. This research examined how family influences the career decisions of young adults. A mixed-technique survey research approach was used. The quantitative component investigated the association between parental and other caregiver participation and its impacts on this cohort’s professional decision-making and decisiveness. The qualitative element investigated the nature of parental involvement in the same population of students.

The study’s focus was addressed by the following two research questions and three hypotheses: Research Question 1: How do the family environment and parents’ adopted beliefs influence decision-making and the general career path their children choose?

• Hypothesis 1: There is a relationship between parental and familial engagement in career decision-making.
• Hypothesis 2: Women tend to be more influenced by their parents’ career involvement than men.
• Research Question 2: What is the relationship between different factors that determine career decisions? (Income, social standing, societal contribution, etc.)
• Hypothesis 3: There is no link between the elements that drive career decisions (income, social standing, societal contribution, etc.) and the level of career satisfaction.

The first research question is qualitative. It investigates the association between parental and other caregiver involvement in career decision-making. According to the first hypothesis, there is a link between parental and familial involvement and career decisions. A percentage analysis was used. The second hypothesis proposed that females are more impacted than males by their parents’ career involvement. A percentage analysis was used. The second research question is quantitative. It investigates the link between various elements that influence job choices. The third hypothesis proposed that there is no relationship between the factors that drive career choices (income, social standing, societal contribution, etc.), and the level of job satisfaction. A percentage analysis was employed. The results were presented in two sections in this segment: quantitative and qualitative data findings.

Quantitative Results

Participants: This survey was distributed to 300 participants. A total of 113 students took part in this study, with a participation or response rate of around 38%. Only 109 individuals correctly submitted the information required for analysis after examining the data. Three students did not provide demographic information concerning the factors of influence their career decisions. One individual left out who had the most significant influence on their career choice.

Variables of Interest: This study’s quantitative variables of interest include (a) a mother’s influence (b) a father’s influence, (c) a sibling’s influence, (d) an extended family’s influence (e) other people’s influences (f) media platform influences, (g) movie/ TV show influence, (h) word of mouth influence, (i) research influence, (j) other educational interests, and (k) passion for a major.

Results for Research Question 2: Research question 2 asked: What is the relationship between different factors that determine career decisions? We devised a hypothesis to investigate this question.

Hypothesis

According to the hypothesis, there is no relationship between the factors that influence career selection and the level of job satisfaction. We intended to analyze this hypothesis using percentages. According to the results, 52% of participants are passionate about their careers. However, 64% of participants indicated that they would not change their major if given the chance. The margin between passion and major choice is 12%. Only 8% of those surveyed reported being very likely to change their major. This leaves 40% of participants who are neither passionate nor ready to change their major (Figures 1 & 2).

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Graph 1: Student responses to passion in major choice.

Graph 2: Analysis of student responses to changing their major.

Furthermore, when asked who had the greatest influence on their career decision, 19.6% identified their mothers alone. Motherly influence, on the other hand, was included in five different answer combinations. The father’s effect was the next highest, accounting for 15.2% when considered alone. Nonetheless, the fatherly effect was seen in three more answer combinations. Other persons who have a significant effect on a student’s career selection come in third at 21.4% on their own, and it is also included in one other response combination (Graph 3).

Graph 3: Count of individuals with the greatest influence on a student’s career path.

As for additional factors, namely educational seminars, job fairs, and so on, they ranked first, contributing 21.8% on their own and in combination with two other selections, accounting for 28.4% of all responses. Media platforms had the second greatest effect, comprising 22.1% of all replies. 14.5% chose their majors on their own and in combination with four additional options. For a total of 21% of replies, research follows next. Word of mouth is fourth, accounting for 18% of all answers. At 10.5% of total responses, movies and TV series came in last (Graph 4).

When it comes to career counseling, 57.5% of pupils had one at the high school where they were enrolled. However, 62.5% of participants say they’ve never met with a career counselor. This results in a divergence of 21.5% of students who had access to a career adviser but did not see them for career assistance (Figures 5 & 6).

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Graph 4: Count for other factors influencing students’ major choices.

Graph 5: Demographics for career counselors at schools.

Graph 6: Demographics for students who saw career counselors.

Once asked if they had looked for work prospects, 71.7% answered yes, while 28.3% responded no. Further, 49.6% of respondents who researched employment prospects used the internet as their sole source or in conjunction with other sources. While 27.9% used online job search sites. Experts were consulted by 20.9% of participants, either alone or with the assistance of other sources. Only 1.6% of participants looked for information on income and taxes (Graph 7).

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Graph 7: Count for job opportunity research.

When queried about their job search outcomes, 55% of students indicated that their occupational domain was quite easy to find. The percentages came as follows: 19.3% of students stated their field was very easy to find, while 11% said it was difficult to obtain. Only 1.8% of students consider their chosen career extremely difficult to pursue, while 12.8% are unsure (Graph 8).

Graph 8: Demographics for prospective job opportunities.

Analysis

The second research question investigates the link between various elements that influence job choices. The third hypothesis proposed that there is no relationship between the elements that drive career choices (income, social standing, societal contribution, etc.) and the level of job satisfaction. According to Sharif, et al. [1], the influence of future income came fourth after the mother, father, and tutor. This is also shown to be true in our findings because, when asked who had the greatest influence on their career decision, 19.6% of students answered their mother alone. Motherly influence, on the other hand, was included in five different answer combinations. The father’s effect was the next highest, accounting for 15.2% when considered alone. Nonetheless, the fatherly effect was seen in three more answer combinations. When it comes to other considerations, educational seminars, career fairs, and so on rank highest, accounting for 21.8% on their own and when combined with two other choices. Taking up 28.4% of all replies. These resources are usually presented to children of a more fortunate background. Student and parent vocational choices are affected by the family’s socioeconomic status. Parents’ income generally supports their children’s education, especially when choosing an institution for higher education [2].

Not all schools have career advisors that guide students to career paths and higher educational institutions. Most high schools that offer this service are those of higher social standing. According to Xing, et al. [3], families with a higher social standing are more supportive of their children exploring career paths. They are also more likely to provide their children with resources and information for career development and decision-making. However, in our study, career counseling was available to 57.5% of students in the high school where they were enrolled. However, 62.5% of those polled have never interacted with a professional counselor. This leads to a divergence of 21.5% of students who had access to a career adviser but did not seek career advice from them.

In their study Xing, et al. [3] state that children from low socioeconomic backgrounds felt pressured to financially help their families and tended to attain better financial stability and status than them. Students, in this case, research work prospects that offer a high financial gain or that are easy to find. Our findings indicate that once students were asked if they had looked for work prospects, 71.7% of participants answered yes, while 28.3% responded no. 49.6% of respondents who researched employment prospects used the internet as their sole source or in conjunction with other sources. While 27.9% used available online job search sites. Experts were consulted by 20.9% of participants, either alone or with the assistance of other sources. Only 1.6% of participants looked for information on income and taxes. When asked about their job search findings, 55% of students said it was simple to find their vocational domain. According to 19.3% of students, their field is very easy to find, while 11% say it is difficult to get. 1.8% of students believe it is extremely difficult to follow their chosen career, while 12.8% are unsure. In total, about 12.8% of students are on a career path that is difficult to pursue, leaving most participants in a somewhat safe zone.

Concerning satisfaction in one’s career Kocak, et al. [4] claim that happiness comes because of family influence, involvement, support, and income level. According to our findings, 52% of participants are passionate about their professions. However, 64% of those polled claimed they would not alter their major if given the opportunity. The discrepancy between passion and major choice is 12%. Only 8% of those polled indicated they were extremely likely to switch majors. This leaves 40% of individuals who are neither passionate nor prepared to change their major. These findings encourage us to investigate the qualitative findings, which investigate familial influence, support, and involvement to determine the cause of this deviation.

Our third hypothesis is shown to be null based on our qualitative results since our findings show that there is a link between the elements that drive career decisions (income, social standing, societal contribution, etc.) and the level of career satisfaction. When it comes to choosing a profession, students emphasize their parents’ judgments over others’, though some select high-paying careers. Studies such as those done by Ozlen, et al. [2] and Xing, et al. [3] corroborate our findings, revealing that families with a higher socioeconomic position are more supportive and ready to offer resources for their children’s professional development. Students from more affluent families are more engaged in and satisfied with their career choices. As a result, there is a positive relationship between socioeconomic status, career choice, and satisfaction.

Summary of Quantitative Findings

The quantitative research question for this study looked at the relationship between several factors that impact career choices. According to our findings, students prioritize their mother and father’s influence more than any other factor. Furthermore, when it comes to other variables, educational seminars, job fairs, and so on rank first. These resources are frequently given to students from better-off families. The socioeconomic position of the family influences student and parent career choices. Parents’ wealth typically promotes their children’s education, especially when selecting a higher education institution. Schools for those of better standing provide tools such as career counseling, which directs pupils to career paths and further educational facilities. The results leave out 40% of those who are neither passionate nor willing to reconsider their major. Students from more affluent homes are more interested in and content with their job choices because of their parents’ support. As a result, there is a correlation between socioeconomic status, career choice, and career satisfaction.

Qualitative Results

Participants: As mentioned previously, one hundred thirteen people out of three hundred participated in this study. The number of participants who fully and correctly filled out the survey is one hundred and nine. Three participants failed to provide data about other influences on their major choice.

One participant did not answer who has the most significant influence on their career choice. Out of one hundred and thirteen individuals, one person did not mention how similar their career path is to one or both of their parents. Another participant did not provide an answer to how similar their career path is to someone in their family.

Variables of Interest: This study’s qualitative variables of interest include (a) the mother’s influence, (b) the father’s influence, (c) other influences, (d) a sibling’s influence, (e) the extended family’s influence, (f) parents’ involvement, and (g) parents’ satisfaction with their child’s chosen major.

Research Question 1: Research question 1 asked: How do the family environment and parents’ adopted beliefs influence decision-making and the general career path their children choose? To further study this question, we came up with two hypotheses.

Hypothesis

In the qualitative section of this research, hypothesis 1 states that there is a relationship between parental and familial engagement in their child’s career choice. Hypothesis 2 is gender specific and states that women tend to be more influenced by their parents’ involvement than men when it comes to choosing a career path.

This section will cover both men’s and women’s answers separately to determine whether our findings match both of our hypotheses. When it came to the person who had the greatest influence on their career choice, 26.8% of women chose their mother, and a total of 21.1% included their mother in a combined answer. Directly after the mother came the father with 11.3%, and a total of 14.1% mentioned the father with other options. “Other” (neighbors, teachers, role models, acquaintances, etc.) came in third with 21.1% of women opting for this option, and 4.2% included it with another answer. Extended family also played a role in influencing women, with 8.5% and 2.8% in a combined answer (Graph 9).

23.7% of men were influenced by their fathers, and a total of 31.5% chose fathers in a combination of responses. This was followed by 7.9% of men being influenced by their mothers, and a total of 34.2% included this option in other answers. In third comes “other,” with 21.1% and 10.5% in other combinations. Extended family also seemed to influence men, with a combined contribution of 10.5% in 2.6% of responses (Graph 10).

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Graph 9: Women’s responses to the greatest influence on their career choice.

Graph 10: Men’s responses to the greatest influence on their career choice.

When asked which parent was most active in their academic performance, both men and women mostly chose their mothers, with 60.5% and 61.1%, respectively. For women, their fathers and none (no active parents) accounted for 19.4%. Men, on the other hand, 23.7% chose none and 15.8% chose their fathers.

According to 38.9% of female participants, their parents were very involved with their university applications, while 23.7% of male participants claimed the same aspect. Regarding parent involvement in one’s choice of major, 41.7% of women chose their mother, followed by none (30.6%), and lastly, fathers (27.8%). Men‘s most selected response was none (44.7%), followed by father (31.6%) and lastly mother (23.7%) (Graphs 11-14).

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Graph 11: Women’s responses to the most active parent in their academic performance.

Graph 12: Men’s responses to their most active parent in their academic performance.

Graph 13: Women’s responses to the most involved parent in their major choice.

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Graph 14: Men’s responses to the most involved parent in their major choice.

Concerning similarities between the students’ career paths and those of one or both of their parents, most men’s and women’s career paths were not identical to those of any of their parents with percentages of 59.5% and 61.1%, respectively. 22.2% of females claimed that their career paths were slightly like that of one or both parents. However, 21.6% of males claimed that their career paths were mostly like those of one or both parents. It seems that both men’s and women’s parents/guardians were mostly very satisfied with their choice of career. When participants were asked how passionate they were about their majors, both men and women seemed to be enthusiastic about their majors. 70.9% of participants’ career paths fell in line with their parent’s expectations of them, while only 20.1% of participants’ career paths did not fall in line with their parent’s expectations (Graphs 15- 18).

Graph 15: Women’s responses to the similarity in career choice to one/both parents.

Graph 16: Men’s responses to the similarity in career choice to one/both parents.

Key: 1 Not Satisfied at all 2 Somewhat Satisfied 3 Mostly Satisfied 4 Very Satisfied

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Graph 17: Parent satisfaction with their children’s chosen career path.

Analysis

The first research question claims that the family environment and parents’ adopted beliefs influence decision- making and the general career path their children choose. The initial hypothesis states that there is a link between parental and familial engagement in their children’s choice of career. The second hypothesis suggests that women tend to be more influenced by their parents than men. As reported by Kniveton [5], the main sources of influence on occupational choices are parents, directly followed by teachers. Other influences include siblings. Similarly, by looking back at our data, we see that parents came as a first choice and teachers came second. Parents (mother and father) accounted for a total of 84.8% of all responses. Teachers followed with 30.4% and then siblings with 16.1%. Media is another influential factor for females specifically [5]. This statement contradicts our findings, as media platforms were found to be the second greatest influence for both males and females, accounting for 22.1% of responses.

Parental engagement seemed to be high with our participants, especially in areas of influence, activeness, and involvement in their child’s academic performance and choice of major. According to our findings, the mother ranked first in influence and involvement in the choice of major and career for females. The mother also ranked first for both male and female participants for being active in their academic performance. The father ranked first for males in influence and second for females. It appears that there was no parental involvement in major choice for most males as parents came second in ranks after the choice of none (neither mother nor father). Supposedly, mothers had a greater influence on their daughters and were more involved in their academics and career choices. Males were typically more influenced by their fathers but seemed to be independent in choosing a career path. These results slightly contradicted a claim by Clutter, in which he states that mothers are not only the most influential parent for their daughters but also for their sons as well. Fathers influence their sons, while mothers influence their daughters.

Referring to the data in our study, even though most males and females reported having different careers than those of one or both of their parents, 70.9% of participants’ chosen careers still fell in line with what their parents expected of them. Thus, we can say that parental involvement and influence for both males and females are relatively high. Both Kniveton [5] and Clutter mention that parents will provide their children with support for certain career choices that tend to be like their expectations and that these expectations of their career views for their children are key factors in shaping career choices.

Organization of Data

The objective of the qualitative element of this research was to establish an understanding of parental involvement and whether females were more influenced by their parents. Each participant had been informed that completing the questionnaire was voluntary and would only take up to 8 minutes of their time to complete. After receiving an adequate number of responses, the researchers gathered the data and studied all the responses. The researchers removed answers that were not related to the questions as well as those that made no sense. We interpreted the correct responses of each participant on an Excel spreadsheet. Then the data was filtered based on male and female responses. The researchers allowed more than one response to be chosen when deciding on an influencer for their career choices. Our team consists of two individuals conducting research at the institution they attend.

We used our online survey titled “The Impact of Family Influence and Involvement on Career Development” [6] to collect qualitative data for this study. Questions asked to the participants included topics about parent involvement in their choice of major as well as identifying which parent was most active in their academic performances. Another question inquired about who most influenced their career choice (mother, father, siblings, extended family, other). Participants were also given the chance to share how passionate they are about their major, how similar it was to that of one or both of their parents, and whether their parents or guardians were satisfied with their child’s choice of career. We started identifying prominent factors of influence career choice. We then cautiously studied each response, classified repeating words or phrases, and created totals from the percentages. Qualitative data were analyzed from a total of 109 participants aged between 17 to 35 years. Of these participants, 71 were female and 38 were male [7, 8, 9, 10].

Summary of Qualitative Findings

The qualitative research question investigates the link between parental involvement and career choice in addition to gender-specific choices. Concerning our findings, students took their parents’ opinions into account, as parental influence and involvement ranked first, followed by teachers and siblings. Media platforms were another factor that influenced students when choosing a major. Men and women were found to be equally influenced by both their parents. Many participants had no similar career path to that of one or both of their parents, but their career choices still fell in line with the expectations of their parents. As a result, there is a relationship between parental influence and the student’s choice of career. However, both men and women were equally influenced by their parents, not just women.