Letter to a Friend: Parents and Their Influence on Your Career Choice
Details
- Level
- B1
- Includes
- Worksheet (PDF)
- Updated
- 20 Sep 2026
Example Letter
Dear Helen,
Thanks so much for your letter. I was happy to hear from you!
In your letter, you asked if my parents influence my career choice. Well, we all take time to “find our feet.” Parents often say things like, “Pick a course you think you’ll like” or “Why don’t you apply for this job?” While it may seem like they’re helping by steering their children in the right direction, it’s also important for parents to understand that we need space and time to discover what we truly want to pursue.
In my family, we always make decisions together. If you want to find a career that fits you best, you should assess your skills, abilities, and inclinations. As for my parents, they sometimes give advice, but they’re not overprotective or controlling. They believe it’s absolutely wrong to impose aspirations on children. My wise parents are also aware of the generation gap and appreciate my perspective.
I’d better go now—my mum is waiting for me.
Love,
Anna
Parents and Career Choices – A Personal Letter
Choosing a future career can be difficult, especially when your parents have strong opinions. This informal letter gives you a model for how to talk about their influence in a personal, honest, and respectful way.
Use this letter to describe your dreams, your parents' advice, and how you feel about the decision. It helps practice expressing agreement, disagreement, and emotional vocabulary.
Download the example and write about your career journey today.
