Answer Back: Children’s views on career choices
Abeyna Jones, 17, London
I have chosen medicine as a degree to study at university, which will inevitably lead to becoming either a doctor or a research scientist. This decision has been strongly influenced by my mother, who has always suggested that I choose a lucrative and reliable career. She gave me a few options like law, for example, but I guess that medicine seemed the most appealing as I had always had an interest in human biology.
| My Mam says I can do anything. |
Megan Burgess, 11, Birmingham
My Dad is a butcher, but I don't want to be one because I am a vegetarian. My Mum is a mentor at a school but I would not want to do this either, as I don't want to work with children. I would like to be a veterinary nurse. I have wanted to do something with animals since I got my first cat for my third birthday.
Lindsay Marchant, 17, Newcastle upon Tyne
I would like to pursue a career in childcare or in singing. My Mam will support me in any way she can. She believes I can do anything if I put my mind to it.
Paras Patel, 12, Birmingham
My father is a shopkeeper and my mother helps him, but I don't want to do this because, from my Dad's experiences, it can be very stressful. I might want to be a chartered accountant because my older brother wants to be one and he says it is interesting.
Rachel Walmsley, 13, Sheffield
My career choice won't be influenced by my parents because it is my decision and nobody else's. It is important to have a good career but if your parents pressure you to work harder and harder, you react against it.
Mark Lewis, 15, Sheffield
I've always wanted a job that involves helping people. I used to want to join the police force, but now I want to be a lawyer. Some people think I'll make it and others say "ha ha, I don't think so". But whatever you choose, it should be something you really like doing. It's your choice, so choose wisely. My parents are divorced but they both believe in me the way that parents should.
Carly Wightman, 14, Plymouth
I want to be a teacher as I like children and like being able to help them with their work. I think my parents would be fairly happy with this. Your parents always tell you what's a good career and what's not; they always pressurise you about how good jobs have good pay. But I think that if you like a job and it suits you, you should stick to it and not be influenced by others.
Amy Magowan-Greene, 12, Belfast
I am not certain about a specific job yet, but I know that I'm heading for something to do with English, such as journalism, teaching or writing.
About answer back
answer back is a weekly column by Children's Express members, published in the Parents' pages of The Times.
