Does Socioeconomic Status of Students Influence Their Career Choice? A Study on the Tertiary Level Students

Abstract

In the Indian subcontinent, students pay utmost importance to choosing a career as it determines people’s status in society. The notion of the research was to explore the influence of socioeconomic status on students’ career choices. A survey was administered among tertiary level students of Bangladesh and the respondents were found through convenient sampling. A structured questionnaire consisting of 24 items based on Social Cognitive Career Theory was developed. The questionnaire was uploaded through Google form and eventually, 563 valid responses were obtained. The results revealed that age, religion, place of residence, residing while studying, parents’ education, and parents’ occupation have positive impacts on students’ career choices. Besides, it also indicated that family members have an influence on the overall career decision-making process of the students. Oppositely, fathers’ income has little bearing, whereas mothers’ monthly income has a positive impact. Again, gender differences were found to have a negative impact. The findings are in line with previous studies and parties involved with career guidance and counseling may utilize the findings.