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Career Choices of Asian American Pre-Med Students

KINIDA JOSEPH

FACULTY MENTOR: DR. DEBBIE SONU

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Research question

  • How Do Childhood Experiences And Family Or Cultural Expectations Influence The Career Choices Of Asian American Pre-med Students?

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  • 10 Hunter college students completed the screening survey
  • 3 Hunter college pre-med, Bengali students participated in interviews
  • 45 minutes – 1 hour zoom interviews explored childhood experiences and career decisions
  • Transcribed interviews and conducted a thematic analysis

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Participants’ Stories

Maya

Sara

Leena

Background: Oldest child with high academic and financial expectations

Background: Grew up hearing that she would become the family’s doctor

Background: Originally considered engineering

Interest: Personal experiences strengthened her interest in healthcare

Interest: Still unsure whether medicine reflects her personal interests

Interest: Her father’s cancer experience inspired her interest in medicine

Pressure: Expected to pursue a respected, financially secure career

Pressure: Felt that her family chose the pre-med path for her

Pressure: Wanted to fulfill her father’s unfinished dream

Names are pseudonyms.

Family influence could create motivation and direction, but it could also produce pressure, guilt, and uncertainty about personal choice

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What did I learn?

  • Themes: 
  • A student may choose a career for several reasons, not only personal interest.
  • All participants wished they had mentorship outside family

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  • Implications:
  • Career advisors should create space for students to discuss the experiences and expectations influencing their career choices.