Many things can factor into a person's career choice. At an early age, you watch television programs, play games with friends and get interested in certain sports or hobbies. And while not everyone can become the next Carrie Underwood or Danica Patrick, you might still end up doing something in the music or racing industries. More importantly, it's best to choose a career in which you can be happy and productive.
Parents
Parents can have a major impact on career decisions, especially if they have family businesses. For example, morticians often follow their parents into the industry. If your mom and dad own a restaurant, you might take it over some day. Parents also steer their kids toward certain careers. Your parents might have helped you fill out applications for college before graduation, suggesting various majors during the process. You don't always know the available careers as a teenager, and you can be highly influenced by your wiser parents.
Skills and Abilities
People often have skills and abilities that come more naturally for them than others. You might have a flair for numbers and choose a career as an accountant or a statistician. Skills and abilities you acquire at a young age can prompt you to pursue certain hobbies, and these hobbies may later become your vocation. Youthful hobbies can serve as your training ground, and you may become an expert by the time you're an adult. For example, dancers and karate instructors usually start at an early age, and some turn their avocations into full-time careers.
Childhood Fantasies
While the numbers are few, some people turn childhood fantasies into careers. It takes extreme dedication to become an actress, disc jockey, pro golfer or concert pianist, but if you have dogged determination, you might still pursue the career in which you fantasized as a kid. Those who turn childhood fantasies into careers usually make lots of sacrifices, often giving up large chunks of their childhoods to practice gymnastics or ice skating in pursuit of Olympic and professional dreams.
Economy
The economy can impact your career, according to whether the country is thriving or suffering from a recession. During economic boom periods, you might find job opportunities you ordinarily couldn't in an average economy. During recessions, your career might be altered because you can't find a job in your field. For example, instead of becoming a product manager with a major consumer products company, the poor economy might force you to take a job as an assistant manager of a clothing store. And while a recession continues, you become more interested in or focused on the retail job and forget the product manager job.
