Adolescence is a peculiar period in a person's life, where he or she is in a biological and psychological turmoil. However, despite all the psychological and biological turmoil he is experiencing, he is called upon to choose wisely and maturely his professional direction, thus laying the foundations for his future career in the world of professional careers.    
Making an important decision is not a simple and easy process. Knowing how to make a good decision is an important skill. The fact that in the present time things both professionally and educationally have become much more complex in various fields, the difficulty in choosing a profession and deciding on a career path at a fairly young age are some of the reasons for the difficulty in making decisions (Dimitropoulos, 2000). In particular, secondary school students are asked from an early age to make decisions concerning their future development.  
Factors that influence correct decision making:
  • The social environment - In particular, elements such as social interaction with peers, as far as the part of demonstrating abilities and capabilities is concerned, the part of cooperation in a group of people is evolving, where this contact helps to develop values and norms. The encouragement that individuals receive from their close social environment helps drastically in adopting goals and values that allow to direct the individual towards realistic future choices.
  • Career choices of today - Adolescents in the present era tend to seek career opportunities that will bring them greater certainty about their future. To illustrate, some prioritise finding a job with a high salary, while others prioritise joining the labour market immediately after completing their studies. The characteristics of today's society are changing the motivation of individuals based on the choices they intend to make for their future.
  • Characteristics of the occupation - Characteristics such as high wages are among the criteria for choosing an occupation and making subsequent decisions. Particularly with the uncertainty and insecurity that pervades social contexts, high-paying professions offer more security (Katsanevas, 2009). Still, in the choice of adolescents, the prestige factor seems to be important, since the high social prestige that accompanies some professions has directed most individuals towards specific career paths (Katsanevas & Tsiyaparikou, 2013).  
  • Personal Interest - Specifically, each individual shapes his/her personality based on the interests, values as well as abilities that will attract the work environment. This means that the extent to which the individual's interests coincide with the characteristics of the work environment is what will influence the characteristics of the work environment is what will influence the process of educational and professional decision making (Holland, 1992. 1997).   

    Written by Nicoletta Sophokleous, Academic Advisor