Their older children all became doctors, but their youngest son chose/followed a different (career) 'path'.
His friends all went to college, but he chose to 'follow' a different path. [=to do something different]
He believes the average consumer is being 'led down the garden path' by the promises in advertisements.
(..) Stand back, damn you ! (screaming) (child crying) l have a child ! - l have a child ! - Clear a path here ! Please, l have a child ! Please, l'm all she has in the world. Go on. Step back ! Here, give her to me. (..)1997 Titanic