Parents don't take their children's 'modern' career aspirations seriously, study shows
Mirror February 14, 2025 12:39 AM

A new study has highlighted a growing gap between what kids and their parents think about jobs, with the younger generation eyeing up careers in tech and creativity that mum and dad might not get.

The research found that while the older lot are all for traditional roles, youngsters are dreaming of gigs in video game design, software engineering, and being YouTube stars.

Three quarters of 11 to 17 year olds reckon being online has shown open their eyes to more exciting job options, but they don't feel like their parents take these options seriously. Meanwhile, 67% of parents said they worried they were "unstable career choices."

EE, who commissioned the study, is keen to close this generational divide, teaming up with BAFTA to give teens a taste of the creative life.

An EE spokesperson said: "We are on a mission to help parents and their children connect the dots between their teen's curiosities and their next steps."

They are jointly launching a campaign,which encourages teenagers aged 15 to 17 to apply for a chance to take on crew roles in storytelling, production, and directing for a short film set to be released in 2026.

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BAFTA-nominated actress Daisy Edgar-Jones and an award-winning crew will mentor the budding filmmakers, assisting them in bringing their stories to life.

Baroness Floella Benjamin OM DBE, an award-winning broadcaster and 2024 BAFTA Fellowship honoree, spoke about the programme, highlighting the changing nature of career success.

"Growing up with phones isn't easy," she said, "but when teens are consuming social content, playing video games, and exploring the arts, they gain many creative skills."

"It's important to connect these skills to future opportunities and encourage the next generation to explore their interests in filmmaking."

The survey did reveal that parents recognise that their children have developed valuable soft skills, such as creativity, socialising, and empathy, through , social media, and digital platforms.

They also believe their youngsters have gained valuable 'hard skills' through engaging with , including coding, problem-solving, and digital literacy.

A spokesperson from EE chimed in, saying: "Whether their interests lie in makeup, fashion, performance, or production, we want to inspire the next generation to follow their passions, explore their curiosities, and transform them into meaningful careers."

The deadline for applications is 25th April 2025.

TOP 10 CAREERS, ACCORDING TO KIDS AGED 11 TO 17:
  • Video game designer or tester
  • Software developer
  • Teacher or tutor
  • Content creator/streamer (e.g., YouTuber, TikTok influencer)
  • Graphic designer
  • Entrepreneur or small business owner
  • Cybersecurity specialist
  • Artist
  • Professional athlete
  • Lawyer or legal assistant
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