Factors influencing career choice in Generation Z: a study from students of private colleges in Lahore

Abstract

<p>Background and Objective: Choosing a career is a difficult decision, especially among young adults, which is influenced by many dynamics. Every adolescent faces the dilemma of choosing a career due to exposure to so many avenues in today’s digitalized world. The objective of this study was to determine the factors influencing the career choices of Generation Z studying in different private colleges in Lahore city of Pakistan.</p>
 <p>Methods: It was a cross-sectional survey enrolling n = 196 young students of private colleges of Lahore between the age group of 17 and 20 years selected through the convenient sampling technique. An online, validated questionnaire was distributed via WhatsApp groups and the participants were asked to return the filled but anonymous proformas within 1 week. The data compilation and analysis were done by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software version 26.0 by keeping the level of significance at 5%.</p>
 <p>Results: The mean age of the participants was 18 ± 1.93 years. The mean age for starting to think about their career choices was 15 ± 3.32 years. Influences like social, internal, and external factors were rated as 38.8%, 37.1%, and 49.6%, respectively. The odds of making a career choice were higher for those with parental influence, a prestigious profession, and a job with a higher salary.</p>
 <p>Conclusion: The most influencing factors affecting the career choice in Generation Z were parents’ wishes, pressures, or role modelling followed by a prestigious profession and higher salaries.</p>

An Analysis of Parental Influence on Career Choice and Success

“…An article by Din et al (2022) explains how the most common parental influence on medical students' career choice was mutual agreement that a medical career would afford them a positive societal reputation and recognition. Similarly, it is found that role modelling of prestigious professions and higher salaries by parents influenced Generation Z's career choices significantly (Ahmed, 2022). Parents provide the context in which perceptions of career opportunities and occupational aspirations are formed through the process of socialization.…”

“…Related to parenting style is the function a parent serves in an individual's life. An article by Ahmed et al (2022) states that "parents are not just authority figures but friends, guides, and role models" (p. 232) as they provide financial and emotional support to their children. Finally, this research highly recommends "that parents do scaffolding for their children while choosing a career by keeping their interest as a priority which will be a source of job satisfaction and motivation for their children in the future" (p. 233).…”

“…Parents influence career development and decision-making through socialization by communicating values, offering opportunities to learn and develop, and inspiring and guiding individuals toward certain goals and occupations (Ahmed, 2022). More specifically, "through their life experience and job satisfaction, parents inspire adolescents to adopt the career path they had for themselves since childhood" (p. 232).…”