Careers Advice Our future. It's in our hands

When you were knee high to a grasshopper, what did you dream of doing when you grew up? Becoming an astronaut? A rock star? A teacher or a football player?

New research released today by the Careers Advice Service reveals the nation's top five childhood dream jobs for boys and girls.

Top five dream jobs for boys

1. Footballer
2. Entrepreneur /businessman
3. Pop/rock star
4. Pilot
5. Doctor

Top five dream jobs for girls

1. Teacher
   
2. Doctor
3. Vet
4. Pop / rock star
5. Businesswoman

While not everyone can be a ‘Lily Allen' or a ‘David Beckham', the survey revealed that 12 per cent of the country have achieved their childhood goal and are doing the job they dreamed of doing as a child.

However the survey also revealed that almost three quarters of the population (73 per cent) had different career goals now to those they had when they were young; with just over half (56 per cent) admitting that their original goals didn't seem realistic now they had become adults.

Interestingly the survey revealed nearly half of respondents (46 per cent) would consider training or working towards a new qualification in order to achieve their career dreams.

Many people were also considering careers in fields they may not have chosen in the past; for example almost a fifth of respondents said they would consider a career in the public and third sectors (17 per cent), leaving the financial industry polling at the bottom of the ‘dream job' wish list (9 per cent).

Jon Gamble, the LSC's Director for Adults and Lifelong Learning, says: "Having career goals and aspirations are so important - not only for our sense of job satisfaction, but also for achieving a better life balance. In the 21st century workplace it's increasingly likely that we will move from one industry to another and for our career ambitions to change accordingly.

"The LSC's Careers Advice Service, together with its face-to-face nextstep service, can offer personal advice and impartial information for all adults in England on the range of learning and training opportunities available to help make those goals that little bit easier to achieve".

 

Three quarters (74 per cent) of the population are planning to change their career, however one in four (25 per cent) suspect they never will as they are unsure about what they really want, the Careers Advice Service reveals today.

In research released today 71 per cent think the best way to keep their career moving forward is through gaining a new qualification. Other reasons for people wanting to change career include a desire to learn new things (60 per cent) and earn more money (47 per cent). One in three (36 per cent) claim that they are unsure of their career goals and aspirations.

For adults looking for advice on their jobs, the Learning and Skills Council is launching a travelling Careers Advice booth that will be based at London Bridge Railway Station, Main Concourse today from 7am through to 7pm. The booth has Careers Advice Service and nextstep advisers on hand to help passers-by identify their career goals, get advice on training, help with finding out about funding options and ways to get started in a new career.

Jon Gamble, the LSC's Director for Adults and Lifelong Learning, with responsibility for the Careers Advice Service says: "The Careers Advice booth is a great way of giving people the opportunity to meet Careers Advisers and get first hand advice on getting into work or progressing further in their careers.

"Over the next 10 years, it will become increasingly difficult to get a job without any basic qualifications[1] and this campaign will help to raise awareness and provide valuable information about the accessibility of skills training and acquiring the relevant qualifications, meaning that there has never been a better time for individuals to actively consider learning new skills, or even building on their existing skills."

The travelling Careers Advice booth will be visiting a number of towns across England over the summer.

The Careers Advice Service provides free, impartial and confidential advice for those interested in learning a new skill; who want to find information on different courses or get further details of the funding options open to them.

To speak to a Careers Advice Service adviser call 0800 100 900 or visit www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice.

-ENDS-

 

[1] Working Futures 2004 - 2014, Qualifications Report, Wilson and Bosworth, 2006