What did you want to be when you grew up? A firefighter? An astronaut? Well, kids these days have slightly … different career aspirations.
54% of young Americans say they’d consider becoming a social media influencer.i And a UK study found “social media and gaming” was the 4th most popular job category for young people.ii
And that’s not the only area where kids’ ambitions may be a little impractical. All told, half of American teens think they’ll either end up working in the arts or scientific research. But those careers only make up 8% of the job market.iii
There are plenty of fields, however, where job opportunities are expanding. Employment of nurse practitioners is expected to grow 46% over the next decade. Wind turbine service technicians follow close behind, with 44% growth.iv
The good news: Over time, young people tend to adjust their career aspirations. The most popular career goal for 13-year-old boys is to be a professional athlete, but most of them change their minds by the time they turn 18.
And while being a doctor is the most popular career goal for girls 13-15, by ages 16-18 research shows they’re more likely to want to be veterinarians, teachers, or nurses.v
Still, the odds aren’t entirely stacked against the dreamers. After all, 43% of Americans say they’re working their childhood dream job.vi The professionals most likely to say they’re living out their childhood dreams: doctors.
Although one survey participant defined their dream job as “anything where I could do paperwork.”
It turns out that there’s a perfect job out there for just about everybody.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- 54% of young Americans say they’d consider a career as a social media influencer.
- Nurse practitioners and wind turbine service technicians are the two fastest growing careers in the United States.
- 43% of Americans say they’re working their childhood dream job.
