When it comes to choosing a career, the pressure to follow the crowd can be immense. But what about those who are determined to be different? Children's Express tracked down three Birmingham students with unusual ambitions and asked them about the jobs that attract them, the jobs that don't and what they expect from the 21st century workplace.
What happens after school? This question has become a preoccupation of students all over the country.
There are records of achievement to fill in, GCSEs, A-levels and degree courses to choose and lengthy meetings with careers masters who make us acutely aware that the choices we make now could affect the rest of our lives.
Every student is under pressure to think seriously about their future career.
Statistics tell us our choices are likely to be different according to whether we are a boy or a girl. The figures reveal that 90 per cent of hairdressers are women and 92 per cent of computer engineers are men. Seventy-eight per cent of engineering students are men, 91 per cent of nurses are female.
It seems clear-cut: if you're a boy, you look at "male" professions, if you're a girl you consider "female" jobs. But how true are the figures and how much pressure is there to conform to stereotypes in the workplace?
Phillip's dream
Phillip Groves, aged 15, of Northfield
Wants to be: Dancer/entertainer
Qualifications required: English, Music and four other GCSEs at grades A-C
Parents’ careers: Mother is a registrar; father is a self-employed businessman.
What inspired you to choose dancing as a career?
"I have always liked dancing and it seemed a really natural thing to do."
Why don't you want to go into the same job as your parents?
"Because it doesn't really appeal to me and it's not right for me. I'm not all that good at it."
What do your friends and family think about your chosen career?
"They are not bothered and they are very supportive, because they've seen me dancing and always say I'm pretty good."
Do you think they would feel the same way if you were a girl?
"I can't see why they shouldn't, because it is a natural thing for girls to do."
Why do you think that men sometimes get more money than women for doing the same job? Is this fair?
"Because most people think it's a man's world and women should stay in the house. I don't think this is fair, because everyone should be treated equally."
What jobs, if any, should be done by men?
"Things like engineering and welding."
What jobs, if any, should be done by women?
"Something like a receptionist, because they are better at answering phones and taking messages."
What's more important to you - earning lots of money or having a job that you enjoy?
"They are both as important as each other. There's no point being stuck in a dead-end job you don't like."
Rebecca's hopes
Rebecca Tranter, aged 15, of Selly Oak
Wants to be: A soldier
Qualifications required: None, but would be expected to pass entry exam and may need qualifications for certain career paths.
Parents’ careers: Mother works for Cadbury, father works for Halifax Building Society.
What inspired you to choose the army as a career?
"When I was 13 I started the Army Cadets and learnt all about the army and handling weapons and that. I enjoyed the life. A lot of my friends went in and said I was good."
How have your parents' jobs affected your career choice?
"They haven't."
What do your friends and family think about your chosen career?
"It is fine by my parents, if that is what I want to do. My male friends didn't think I would have the guts to go through with it as it is mainly a male job, but they are quite supportive. My female friends are amazed."
Do you think they would feel the same if you were a boy?
"If I was male, my male friends would be a bit more supportive, but the girls think it is great that I want to go in. I don't think they would feel any different, but the lads think it is a job for their sex. But I don't really care what people think, it is just what I want to do."
What do you think about men sometimes getting more money for doing the same job? Is this fair?
"It is stupid for someone to think they will be better at a job because that job is generally done by someone of their gender. If you are doing the same job in exactly the same way then it should be equal. I don't think there are any jobs that should be just for one sex. Men and women should be able to do every job the same."
What career would you definitely not like to do?
"I wouldn't like to be a bin man, or a teacher - anything with low pay."
What's more important to you - earning lots of money or having a job you enjoy?
"Having a job that I enjoy, because there's no point in being in it for the money if you don't enjoy it."
How would you feel about giving up work to raise a family?
"If I did have a family, I would probably end up giving up work. But as soon as they were old enough, I would be straight back."
Loretta's aim
Loretta Cummins, aged 12, of Northfield
Wants to be: a pop star.
Qualifications required: None
Parents' careers: Father works in an office, mother looks after younger sister and brother.
Why don't you want to go into the same career as your father?
"Because what my dad does is what everybody does nowadays, working in an office, delivering supplies, etc."
| | Are these youngsters typical? | | Our team surveyed 47 students at Bournville School to find out what they wanted to do when they left school and how much they expected to earn. We picked students who were beginning secondary education or were selecting or taking A-levels. This is what we found: | | Money was the biggest factor influencing career choice among all age groups, with most people saying they wanted to earn "a lot" or "as much as possible." Salary expectations were often unrealistic. | | The public sector appealed to more year 7s than any other job category. However, a significant number wanted to do unusual jobs, such as exploring or cricket. By the time they were choosing their A-levels, expectations had become more conventional, with most wanting to work in the arts. The most popular career choice for the older students was IT. | | According to our survey, the gap in aspirations between the sexes is closing, with very little difference in career choice between girls and boys. The arts were the most popular categories across the sexes. | |
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How have your parents' jobs affected your choice of career?
"I don't think they have really, because if you think about it jobs come into two different categories, don't they - office work and fame."
What do your friends and family think about your choice of career?
"My mum thinks I have got a good voice and maybe I could do it, but my friends aren't really bothered."
Do you think it would be the same if you were a boy?
"No, because I think at school boys are just into football and hanging around with their mates, and they don't really give much thought to their career choice."
Why do you think that men sometimes get more money than women for doing the same job? Is this fair?
"I think it depends on the boss. If the boss is male, sometimes they can be a bit sexist and give the men more money. It can happen with women bosses as well. I don't think it's fair in any case - if you do the same job, then you should get the same money."
What jobs, if any, do you think should only be done by men?
"I don't think there's any set job for men and women. If, say, there was a job only meant to be done by men or women, I think it would say in the application."
What career would you definitely not like to do?
"I wouldn't like to be a doctor because I don't like blood and I don't like seeing the insides of people."
How much do you want to earn?
"Oh, loads. A rough estimate - did you see in the newspapers about Jennifer Lopez getting a million pounds for a two-hour show? I'd like to be on that sort of money."
What is more important to you - earning lots of money or having a job that you enjoy?
"I would feel more comfortable with a job that I enjoy, but I want to earn lots of money, so I would have to go with that, even if it was cleaning toilets!"
How would you feel about giving up work to raise a family?
"I suppose I would do it. I would take time out, but I wouldn't quit, I'd just take, say, a year off. But even if I do want to be a pop star, I think it's important to get a good education and good qualifications. If you don't make it, then you've got something to fall back on."
About the team
This article was produced by editors Jeff Stamps, 15, Hannah Welsh, 14, and Andrew Hopkins, 14, and by reporters Ana Raxster, 13, Mira Gottarde, 12, and Lauren Bennet, 12. It was published in the Birmingham Evening Mail.
