TV is main source for careers influence for young people

An overwhelming majority of young people are influenced by television programmes when choosing a career, research reveals.

A survey of 1,500 16- to 24-year-olds, by recruitment firm Office Angels, reveals that 82 per cent of respondents feel that TV series such as CSI and Spooks has prompted them to consider a career in these fields.

Established choices such as media, music and political aspirations are still on people's career agendas, the top five most sought after being:

Forensics - 62 per cent say they are drawn to the career by the intricate and methodical work of Crime Scene Investigations, Law and Order and Waking the Dead

• Government security agencies - 57 per cent want to be part of the drama and danger portrayed by Spooks
• Journalism - the arrival of Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City has made the profession popular again, with 50 per cent liking the thought of working their own hours from home
• Chefs - thanks to the increasing popularity of Ready Steady Cook, and reality cooking shows such as Hell's Kitchen, 44 per cent of respondents said they wanted to be the next Jamie Oliver
• Property development - 23 per cent are drawn to the financial success of participants in Property Ladder and Grand Designs

Paul Jacobs, managing director of Office Angels, said: "This survey shows how young people today are more adventurous than a generation ago and are open to considering diverse career avenues."

This new research also highlights the importance this age group place on being mentally stimulated and challenged during their careers, with 85 per cent listing this as a top priority.

In addition, 67 per cent want to work with like-minded people and a further 60 per cent would take the opportunity to travel if it was offered.

Over half (56 per cent) feel that today's employers are aware of this and attempt to "keep up" by implementing schemes like flexi-hours, in-house training and "away days" which allow office workers to build relationships with each other and work with autonomy and responsibility.