For many secular families if their adult child does not follow the parents steps to become a scientist/doctor/lawyer is a disaster. I am an unemployed son of two professors. I do not like mathematics — I believe it is a waste of mind power.
The Mitzvot are our debt to G-d and are of eternal benefit. But expanding energy for a professor’s or lawyer’s or doctor’s career is useless unless one has an urge to do such job.