Affiliations:
1Gifted and Talented Programs and Thinking Development, Department of Special Education, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
2Department of Special Education, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
This study investigated the factors influencing career decisions among gifted individuals, with particular attention to the role of enrichment programs. It examined how personal environments and academic backgrounds contribute to career choices using a quantitative research design. The findings revealed that 82.4% of participants selected their careers based on personal interest, while 52.9% identified family support as a significant influence. Environmental elements such as teachers and societal expectations affected 41.2% of respondents, and 17.6% considered labor market conditions in their decision-making. Only 14.29% reported that academic performance, particularly grade point average (GPA), restricted their choice of specialization. These results underscore the value of enrichment programs in enhancing students’ awareness of career pathways and their ability to align aspirations with capabilities. The findings suggest that such programs should be developed in coordination with families and schools and include practical learning experiences. Future research should assess the long-term effects of enrichment programs and propose strategies to reduce the gap between students’ preferred careers and labor market demands.
Gifted students, Career decisions, Enrichment programs, Family support, Academic performance
https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2025.10.019
Albosaif, W. K., Aljughaiman, A. M., & Alsayed, A. K. (2025). Factors influencing career path selection among gifted individuals: Their perspectives. International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences, 12(10), 181–194. https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2025.10.019