© Carole Kanchier, PhD
Does Birth Order Influence Career Decision Making?
Are you the eldest, middle, youngest or only child? Do you think your position in the family affects your career development?
Birth order is defined as a person’s rank by age among his or her brothers and sisters. Many researchers state that birth order influences our personality, intelligence, career choice and success. Oldest, youngest, middle, only children and twins develop distinctive personality traits because each experiences the family differently.
Austrian psychologist, Alfred Adler (1870–1937) pioneered the study of birth order which continues to interest researchers today. Adler believed that humans have a strong need to be accepted and valued, and that family is the first social group in which people strive for belonging.
Children in any given family each strive for their parents’ love, attention and resources. And depending on where a child falls in the family, he or she responds differently. Factors that influence personality development are not about ordinal position, rather the interpretation the child gives to the position.
The importance of birth order is an ongoing argument among social scientists. Personality and career development may be influenced by a number of factors including childhood illness or trauma, five or more years between two children, large family, divorce, blended families, and being the only girl in a family of boys or vice versa. Economics, family moves, death of a parent and grandparents moving into the family circle may also create different experiences and interpretations.
Numerous researchers have demonstrated how birth order is related to career selection and success. Twenty-one of the first 23 astronauts were first borns, and over half the United States presidents have been first born. First borns are also over-represented among US Supreme Court justices, Rhodes Scholars, academics, physicians, leading scientists, and Ivy league universities.
There are no good or bad birth order positions. Each has advantages and disadvantages. Where do you fit?
Eldest Child. In general, first borns are responsible, assertive, task-oriented, perfectionists and supporters of authority. They get leading and mentoring experience by looking after younger siblings.
First borns learn that if they follow parents’ wishes they gain approval. They acquire status by working hard and not making waves. Conservative conformists, first borns are conscientious, serious, logical, scholarly and status conscious. They tend to have higher academic achievement and possibly higher intelligence scores than later borns.
First borns often choose occupations that require precision, such as careers in science, medicine, law, engineering, computer science or accounting. Political and business leaders, journalists, executive secretaries and bookkeepers are also popular careers. Famous first borns include Winston Churchill, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and Oprah Winfrey.
Middle Children. Middle borns are generally independent nonconformists. Competition with siblings tends to make them noncompetitive and diplomatic.Often even-tempered, they may assume a take it or leave it attitude. Less fearful and anxious than first borns, some have maverick tendencies.
Many are socially skilled because they have learned to negotiate and compromise. They’re creative, adaptive, and tend to be good listeners. They can create harmonious interpersonal relationships, and achieve success from superior teamwork.
Some middle children capitalize on the injustices they feel as children and become trial lawyers or social activists. Popular occupations selected by them include entrepreneur, social worker, mediator, middle level manager and real estate agent. George Washington, John F. Kennedy, Madonna and Alfred Adler are middle borns.
— Youngest Child. Later borns are
typically more gregarious, carefree, affectionate and persuasive than
firstborns. They’re open to new experiences and may be manipulative, using
charm to get their way. Parents may have lower expectations for their sometimes
spoiled youngest children.
Later borns tend to gravitate to occupations that are people or performance-oriented. Some have the need to contribute to humankind. Popular careers include actor, newspaper reporter, talk show host, comedian, psychologist, telephone solicitor, sales person, disc jockey, entertainer and teacher. Famous last borns include Celine Dion, Billy Crystal, Sarah Ferguson and Rosie O’Donnel.
— Only Child. Often classified with first borns, only children tend to be highly motivated, confident, achievement- orientated, but noncompetitive. Self-sufficient, they learn to entertain themselves early. Many attend college and achieve academic success. They may be creative, but can be self-centered. Like pampered last borns, they may rely on service from others rather than exert their own efforts. They may be overprotected and perfectionists.
Career choices of only children are similar to those of first borns. Famous only children include Robin Williams, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Drew Barrymore, Courtney Love and Frank Sinatra.
Has birth order affected your personality and career success? Do you want to strengthen certain traits?
Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Life by Dr. Carole Kanchier, shows how to and move forward in your life career: https://www.amazon.com/Questers-Dare-Change-Your-Life/dp/1508408963
Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Life, by Carole Kanchier, PhD, shows how to strengthen desired qualities, clarify life career goals, and develop a master plan for moving forward. Get a copy of Questers Dare to Change: https://www.amazon.com/Questers-Dare-Change-Your-Life/dp/15r-Life/dp/08408963.
Author: Carole Kanchier, PhD, is an internationally recognized newspaper/digital columnist, registered psychologist, keynote speaker, coach and author of award winning, Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Life. Kanchier has taught at University of California, Berkeley and Santa Cruz, University of Alberta, and other institutions of higher learning, and worked with varied individual and organizational clients. Dr. Kanchier is known for her pioneering, interdisciplinary approach to human potential. Carole is available for consultations and interviews
