Architecture among top ten career aspirations for Australian teenagers

Architecture is one of the most desired career paths for Australian teenagers, according to a recent study by the Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Part of the Growing Up in Australia study, the research in question involved surveying 3,317 individuals between the ages of 14 to 15. Of these, 1,917 stated a desired occupation, and ‘architect’ emerged among the top ten.

Participants were first asked the question: "As things stand now, do you know what career or occupation you would like to have in the future?". Of the 59 percent of respondents who answered “yes”, five percent of boys and six percent of girls nominated “professional design, planning or architect” as their desired job. Other popular responses included graphic designer, architect and interior designer.

“Professional design, planning or architect” ranked eighth among both boys and girls. The top ten can be viewed below:

“While vocational or career development is thought to begin in childhood and to develop further through adolescence and young adulthood, at 14 to15 years, young people are likely to be starting to think about themselves as future workers, with vocational aspirations and goals becoming part of their growing self-identity,” reads the study.

“[Though] many adolescents at this age may still be working out their preferred future occupation, it is likely that their aspirations are starting to be shaped, not only by their interests, but also by an awareness of their own abilities and the perceived prestige and difficulty of certain careers.”