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.
(..) And we did one the other night and-- People coming home from the fields. The Green Dragon door should open, people are making their way back along that path. All the supporting artists have become fully into character... ...and they're gonna find it hard to leave, I suspect... (..)2012 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
(..) Don't have him be too fussy, you know? He's really kind of racing-- And he's got the contract in his hand. Comes bounding out through the gate and racing down this path. We're supposed to be doing some shots in beautiful sunshine... ...but as you can see, that it ain't. Not today. (..)2012 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey