Influence of family and environment on students’ occupational choices and expectations of their prospective universities

This study was focused mainly on students’ expectations of their prospective universities, and the question of whether or not family background or social status affect their career decisions was investigated. The sample consisted of 2,459 students in their final year at high school from 17 different provinces and 182 high schools all around Turkey. Results show that parents and environment had a great influence on students’ occupational preferences. It was also found that students’ expectations of universities varied greatly according to their social status and family income.