Poll: How Much Influence Did Your Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Have on Your Career Path?

For most people, family is one of the most powerful influences over a wide variety of life decisions. From where you live to which college you attend to even where you work, there’s a good chance you considered how it impacts your family. So for our August question of the month, we want to know specifically how your parent/guardian(s) influenced your career path.

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13 Responses to Poll: How Much Influence Did Your Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Have on Your Career Path?

  1. Phil Luppke August 7, 2018 at 7:06 am #

    Working for my dad after University led me into this business of sales management.

  2. Marilyn Bethea August 7, 2018 at 7:29 am #

    My mother was a teacher. She told me that she would not pay for my college education if went to school to be a teacher. So, I did not even think about majoring in education after her comment.

    • Michele Gray August 9, 2018 at 9:28 am #

      My father was a school superintendent and he told me the same thing. I wanted to be a Kindergarten teacher and he would not help me financially if I did so. I went my Freshman year and couldn’t decide on anything else so I quit. Went back years later and finished two Bachelor degrees and an MBA on my dime.

  3. Lori August 7, 2018 at 10:33 am #

    I am a marketing professional but work in the credit union industry. For the first half of my Dad’s career he was a banker, so certainly I was familiar with the industry but in a different area entirely.

  4. Sabra Twiford August 7, 2018 at 11:17 am #

    My dad was a C.P.A. and my mom was an interior designer. I’m now a Controller working at an office space design firm. I got the best of both of them!

  5. Janine B. August 7, 2018 at 3:08 pm #

    My parents encouraged me to explore my interests and then helped me find experiences that would allow me to deepen and explore those interests and thus led me to my current career. At the time I didn’t really appreciate it, as most of my friends were being told what to do, they didn’t have to think about it, and they were handed internships and jobs that helped them get a faster start in their careers. I felt a little like my parents were disinterested based on the type of help they were offering. But in the end, my friends who were guided into a career by their parents are unhappy or left their industries. I on the other hand have found my calling. My parents subtly supported that. NOW I appreciate it.

  6. Philip Burchett August 21, 2018 at 7:48 am #

    After high school, I was encouraged to become independent and support myself. A poor Eastern Kentucky background and a helping hand from an uncle guided me into manufacturing. Once realizing that mastering a machinist trade had nothing but ceilings, I went to community college for nursing, got licensed, practiced for a year or so, and then returned to manufacturing. I then completed a Bachelor’s program nursing only to know my Master’s would be in business. I owe my six children for completing four year university degrees and showing me I can do the same.

  7. Paul August 21, 2018 at 9:09 am #

    I had no family so it forced me to look for work since 11th grade traveling around foster homes made me realize i have to work in order to survive this crazy realistic world and because of having no one but myself to rely on it makes it easier to travel and harder to get situated whoever i end up at also graduated two colleges 1 in cali 1 in utah niether professions really was worth it in the end i just got stuck racking up a bill each time they garnish my checks while out on the streets trying to survive.

  8. Eileen W. August 21, 2018 at 9:50 am #

    Dad was a city police officer. When I was about 11 or 12, I expressed interested in becoming one, he brought home a copy of “Policewoman” by Dorothy Uhnak, I couldn’t put that book down-I was hooked! When our city opened applications for women to become street patrol officers, I was 18 – working as a receptionist-and ready to leave the ‘rat race.’ I casually asked my Dad for his thoughts about me applying- he simply said “sure, why not, you should.” I’m not really sure if he was humoring his youngest daughter – but 2 years later after a written exam, physical and psychological testing – I was accepted in to the police academy, he couldn’t have been more supportive. Being among the first women assigned to street patrol, in my city, there were challenges with acceptance along with the police work itself – but knowing I had the support of my family added to my tenacity to succeed. Although police work is never as glamorous or exciting as depicted in books or movies – it was an amazing life experience!

  9. Sandra Malega August 21, 2018 at 1:50 pm #

    My parents refused to sign a release to let me become an flight attendant. I went to college for nursing but quit in the final year. Just now at aged 60, I am a Realtor and property manager. I really wanted to become a flight attendant but it never worked out that way.

  10. Kayla August 21, 2018 at 5:16 pm #

    I had a Grandmother who was a very very hard worker. She managed a Kentucky Fried chicken, and worked 14 hours a day. She instilled hard work and long hours ethic into me today. it didn’t matter where I worked but she needed to let me know you had to stay until the job was done. She retired at 85

  11. Darcy L August 22, 2018 at 9:22 am #

    My Dad influenced my career choice and school to go to. I hated my initial choice as a court reporter. He wanted me to have a job that would allow me to be financially independent. I changed careers and didn’t really practice with of my degrees. I am now in HR and I love my job. I think my dad would be proud.

  12. Rob August 23, 2018 at 3:24 pm #

    My parents owned the Premier Accounting Firm in the small town I grew up in. My Dad was like a local celeb, but told me NOT to be an accountant. He nearly died one tax season in my Jr. High years and the recuperation period almost cost him all he had amassed – real estate, investments, etc. When I found myself the CFO of an international Property Management Firm in Newport Beach at age 28 I realized he was GREAT with numbers, but did NOT really understand Risk Management, so I got an Insurance License and began to learn RM from the Ground UP! That was 32yrs ago…

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