Money Isn’t Major Factor in Career Choice, Survey Finds

Contrary to popular belief, salary is not the principal motivating factor influencing career choices among today’s college students, according to a survey released Friday.

The study by Right Associates found that money ranked near the bottom of the list of factors influencing their career choice. Only one out of nine students said salary was the most important factor; 6% said their decision was the result of either luck or chance.

More than 67% said they did not necessarily follow the careers of their parents and that their own interests and skills were the principal factors prompting their career choice.

Four out of five of the respondents came from dual-career families in which both parents held professional positions,

The survey was conducted among college students who attended a recent company-sponsored series of career seminars in 12 cities: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Princeton, N.J., Atlanta, Boston, Cleveland, Houston, New York, Providence, R.I., San Francisco, Stamford, Conn., and Walnut Creek, Calif.