Low recruitment to studies in science and technology is a matter of great concern, and many initiatives are made in order to motivate young people to pursue a career in subjects such as physics. This article presents a study of how a sample of Norwegian first year university students of physics look upon their choice of study and what they see as main sources of inspiration in this regard. The study is undertaken by means of a survey and interviews with students. Results indicate that teachers are important for inspiration, but also that many students rather see their interest in physics as a genuine, inborn characteristic of their personality. Interviews revealed that parents and family also have been highly important for the students’ development of interest in physics.

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