Factors Influencing Career Choices in Optometry Among Students in Northeast Tripura, India

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to discover the elements that influenced Northeast Tripura optometrist students’ decisions to pursue optometry as a profession. We conducted this research to determine what goes on within the minds of young teenagers that leads them to choose optometry as their career path. Using Google Forms and census sampling, we were able to collect responses from 108 Bachelor of Optometry students from 1st to 3rd years of the programme. Data were capture and analysed with the statistical programme of social sciences (SPSS) latest version 27. 100 students from the school of optometry took part. The mean age of the student was 20.39 years (SD= 1.014). Of 100 students, 64% were female and 36 % were male. Females were much more likely than males to be influenced by all of the factors. In general, over 82% of respondents cited a desire to serve others, a good wage and professional status, and employment availability as the most relevant considerations in choosing an optometry career. The major two determinants for getting a job after finishing a course were participation in induction and subject passes and points acquired in each year. Females were more likely to pursue a profession in optometry than males. The main factors that prompted me to pursue optometry were job availability after graduation, a solid income and job prospects, and a flexible work schedule. Service to others in the community was a significant motivation for young Indians to pursue a career in optometry.

DOI - https://doi.org/10.65525/SVUP.9788199956049.2026.26-51