Disobeying conventional wisdom (and getting away)

If you are an (Asian) Indian born before 1980, then here's a sample of conventional wisdom ingrained in you by your parents:

• Best High school: The one that graduates maximum students for Engineering or Medicine
  
• Best career path: Engineering or Medicine
  
• Pleasant surprise career path: IAS
  
• Alternate acceptable career path: Commerce
• Moronic career path: Arts
• Sit-at-home career path: All others
  

Perhaps the above conventional wisdom was born out of a certain economic situation of the country until the mid 90s. There always are exceptions to the above bulleted list.

Things are a little different in the U.S., allowing people to express themselves more broadly through their career choices. The following video is about a guy who often chose to do and seek what he liked in life over what was considered conventional wisdom. He went on to be the CEO of a startup company before selling it. Examples like this might abound, and I just happen to be capturing one person's story.

My notes to self:
1) Ask others to take a chance on you. Ensure that you show an interest, and ask the question the right way.
2) If passed over for a job, don't leave in a hurry. Think, let it soak and then decide which way is good for you.

Source of video:
http://www.informationtechnologyleaders.com/kapvid.html