PARENTAL AND SOCIAL INFLUENCES ON CAREER CHOICE AS DOCTOR

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 impact of parental and social influence on career choice of the students who want to choose their career as Doctor. Accordingly, a group of 180 higher secondary students (under West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education) were selected as sample in this investigation. Three tools, viz., (a) General Information Schedule (b) Perceived Impact of Parental Influence Questionnaire and (c) Perceived Impact of Social Influence Questionnaire were used in this investigation. The overall findings reveal that those who want to choose their career as Doctor 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. Key words: parental influence, social influence, career, career choice