This week’s primary school assembly and classroom discussions focus on what jobs young people aspire to, the changing nature of work, and what influences our future ambitions. Let’s explore the latest findings, spark thoughtful conversations, and highlight resources for continued learning. What’s Happening: Exploring Career Aspirations Between 15th and 21st July 2024, schools are discussing a new YouGov survey, carried out with Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), which asked 1,306 young people aged 6–17 in the UK about their future job aspirations. The results paint a picture of changing dreams, influenced both by society and technology. Survey Highlights According to the YouGov and GOSH survey conducted in 2023, some of the most and least popular jobs among young people were: Footballer: 17% Gamer or YouTuber: 17% Video Game Developer: 16% Doctor or Nurse: 13% Fashion Designer: 10% Vet: 7% Astronaut: 7% Prime Minister: 4% (the least popular option) Something else: 25% The survey shows the continued popularity of sports and gaming industries, while traditional positions of power, such as Prime Minister, are less appealing. Classroom Ideas: Reflection and Discussion These findings pave the way for thoughtful reflection about what shapes our aspirations. Students are encouraged to think about: What job do you dream of and why? Which results from the survey surprise you? Why do you think jobs in gaming and sports are so appealing? What do you believe is most important when choosing a career—interest, pay, responsibility, or something else? Are all jobs equal in importance? Consider asking family members about what they wanted to be when they were younger. Are their answers similar to yours? What do you think has changed over time? How Job Aspirations Have Changed Over Time Historical data shows that job choices aren't static. Factors such as advances in technology, changing social attitudes, and world events (like World War II, which shifted women's roles in the workforce) have all influenced which jobs are in demand and who holds them. For instance, a century ago, working in agriculture or mining was more common, while today, technology and creative fields are growing. The expectations of society—and even our families—can also impact which jobs we aspire to. Class Activities and Follow-Up Ideas Drawing the Future: Create a drawing of yourself in your dream job and annotate it with what inspires you and why you’d be good at it. Job Research: Pick an industry (e.g., medicine, education, agriculture) and research how it has changed over the past 100 years. Who held these jobs then and now? How has technology or society impacted the field? Class Survey: Conduct your own survey in the class about job aspirations and present the findings using charts or tables. Discuss conclusions in groups. Reflection and Key Questions Some questions to continue thinking about include: What skills, talents, and interests do you have? Which jobs best fit your personality? How have changes in technology affected job choices (for example, concerns about AI replacing some roles)? What barriers might you face in achieving your dream job, and how could you overcome them? Is there a skill or area of knowledge you’d like to build on to help achieve your aspirations? Rights, Laws, and Equal Opportunities Laws protect young people from harmful work and guarantee a minimum age for employment. It’s also illegal to treat anyone unfairly based on protected characteristics. With the right skills and interests, anyone can aspire to any career, regardless of their background. News Snapshots: Inspiration from Around the World Special Coin for Paris Olympics and Paralympics The Royal Mint has issued a unique 50p coin to celebrate the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024. The collectible features both an Olympic and Paralympic athlete, with the Eiffel Tower and the Union Flag in the design. Tough Moss Could Survive on Mars Scientists have found that the moss Syntrichia caninervis, native to harsh environments like Antarctica, can survive under Mars-like conditions. It offers hope for future space exploration and perhaps even making parts of Mars livable. Drone Delivers Supplies on Mount Everest The first-ever drone delivery on Mount Everest transported oxygen bottles and collected rubbish, showing how technology is revolutionising logistics and improving safety for climbers. Chess Champion Makes History Nine-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan is set to represent England at the Chess Olympiad, making her the youngest international sports representative for the country. Her inspiring story shows what passion and practice can achieve. Vocabulary for the Week Aspire: To hope to achieve something. Career: A job or profession done for a long time. Industry: A specific economic or commercial sector. Poll: A survey to gather opinions. Surveyed: Questioned to find out opinions. Astronaut: A person trained for space travel. Try to include these words in your conversations and written work this week! Further Resources and Discussion Explore the latest Picture News resources here: https://picture-news.co.uk/free-sample Join our latest discussion here: https://picture-news.co.uk/discuss Explore our recent events and training here: https://picture-news.co.uk/training Share your thoughts, reflect on your dreams, and explore more with the resources above. Considering your aspirations and strengths early can help guide your path to a fulfilling future career!
