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.
(..) There's no strength left in the world of Men. -They're scattered,divided,leaderless. -There is one who could unite them. One who could reclaim the throne of Gondor. He turned from that path a long time ago. He has chosen exile. You are no Elf. Men of the South are welcome here. (..)2001 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring