New research reveals as many as 55% of teens in Leeds say they are inspired by careers they see portrayed in TV shows.
Favourites such as Great British Bake Off, Grey’s Anatomy and Stranger Things all feature in the top 10 for 14 – 19 year olds when it comes to inspiring their career choices and piquing their interest in the career pathways available to them. This comes as more than half (58%) of Leeds parents surveyed as part of the research admit to putting off bigger life conversations with their teen if the moment wasn’t right.
However, it seems that the inspiration created by what is ‘on the box’ and this more relaxed setting could help as 27% of parents admit to taking the opportunity to cover more serious topics whilst gathering on the sofa together with their teens and watching their favourite TV shows.
It may not be the most obvious setting for such topics, however, it could be the most fitting, because both parents and teens alike believe watching TV together helps them feel most connected. What’s more, the ‘Gogglebox effect’, in which people talk about what they are watching, will likely prompt more conversations around careers and the many routes in, as inspirational jobs are portrayed on the screen.
To explore how to reach their potential, the Skills for Life campaign is encouraging parents and teens to capitalise on TV time together to prompt conversations about the many routes into these inspiring careers. This comes as research shows that watching TV together not only inspires young people, it helps parents and teens alike feel more connected. The Great British Bake Off, Grey’s Anatomy and Stranger Things top the list of shows that make potential careers look interesting or inspiring among those aged 14-19 years old. Celebrity Chef Poppy O’Toole inspires young people pursue their dream career by sharing her own unconventional story.
As the winter months are likely to bring more collective TV time, the Department for Education’s Skills for Life campaign is encouraging parents and teens to make the most of time already spent together watching their favourite shows, to take this inspiration and strike up conversations about the full range of education and training choices, including the technical pathways on offer such as T-Levels, Apprenticeships and Higher Technical Qualifications.
Advocating for the campaign, Young Master Chef judge and Michelin-trained chef, Poppy O’Toole comments:
“I wish I knew about the many different education and training routes available to me when I was younger. After receiving a ‘D’ in my food technology A-level, I almost gave up on my dream of being a chef. But I’m so glad I didn’t! Fast forward a few years and I’m now Michelin-trained and living out my dream career.
“It just goes to show the importance of finding the best option for you and exploring some of the less traditional routes to getting the skills you need. I love the idea that my story, and involvement in shows such as Young Master Chef, might inspire others to explore careers they may have otherwise thought were off the table for them.”
The top 10 TV shows that have inspired teenagers with interesting takes on a career path include:
- The Great British Bake Off: Food industry/chef (20%);
- Grey’s Anatomy: Medicine and Healthcare (18%);
- Master Chef: Chef (18%);
- The Big Bang Theory: Scientist (17%);
- Stranger Things: Investigative Journalist (16%) + Police Officer (14%);
- Suits: Law (14%);
- Life on our Planet: Environmental sciences / working with animals (13%);
- Glow Up: Make Up Artist (13%);
- The Repair Shop: Maintenance/Repair Work/Engineering (12%);
- Last of Us: Healthcare (12%).
As many as 2 in 5 teenagers surveyed in Leeds wish their parents would broach the subject of education, training and work choices more than they do. However whilst watching shows like these may create the perfect setting, the research identified an additional barrier for parents. Half of parents surveyed feel they do not know enough to start a useful discussion about such a topic with 3 in 5 claiming they would like to understand more about the routes available.
Addressing this point, careers adviser Hannah Grabham from National Careers Service said:
“When it comes to careers and understanding of post-16 and post-18 education routes, parents are not expected to have all the answers. What’s most important is to be open to exploring all available routes, including those that may feel unfamiliar, in order to find the route that will best enable their child to succeed.
“Technical education and training pathways, such as T-Levels, apprenticeships and Higher Technical Qualifications, for example, may feel less familiar than other academic routes. However these courses offer great experience in their chosen sector. I’d recommend visiting the Get the Jump webpage, which is a fantastic resource for exploring education and training options that offer a great alternative to more traditional academic routes. Or, if you’d like to speak with someone directly, you can speak with a National Careers Service adviser free of charge.”
Tegan Hinch, 21, a former data science apprentice at Fortrea in Leeds said:
“I’ve just finished my degree apprenticeship in Data Science and I’m now a Statistical Programmer at Fortrea. We run clinical trials for pharmaceutical companies all over the world. I’ve always been passionate about programming, but before I started my apprenticeship, I didn’t know that doing this within the world of clinical trials was even an option! For me, realising I could apply these skills into the world of pharmaceuticals was a win-win.
“I’ve always worked so much better when I can put into practice what I learn, so the apprenticeship was the perfect route. I was working and earning a salary, while learning from experts every day who work on some amazing projects. The COVID 19 pandemic really showed how much of a difference this industry can make.
“I’d encourage young people to think outside the box when it comes to their next steps, taking inspiration from everywhere, including their favourite TV shows, and considering whether they could imagine doing a job like that. There are so many pathways to take now, such as an apprenticeship, and it might be just the route for you!”
The Department for Education’s Skills for Life campaign helps young people aged 14-19, and their parents, explore their education and training choices including T Levels, apprenticeships and Higher Technical Qualifications. To speak with someone from the National Careers Service, please visit www.nationalcareers.service.gov.uk
