Most popular career among young people is scientist, poll claims

Actor placed second among 18-24-year-olds

(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Britain may be set for a boom in inventors, astronauts, and engineers after young adults said their dream was to be a scientist in a recent poll.

A survey of 18-24-year-olds found the idea of working on complex research to further their knowledge was their ideal career path.

The allure of white lab coats and scientific discovery beat the aspiration of becoming an actor, which placed second in the poll.

The chance to become a teacher was the third-most popular choice, according to research by education service Springpod.

While there have been campaigns to get women into a Stem (science, technology, engineering and maths) industry, men were found to be four times more likely to want to be an engineer than women.

However, young women were nearly twice as likely to want to be a doctor and six times as likely to seek a career in nursing.

Women were also almost twice as likely to dream of being a teacher and more than twice as likely to want a career as a vet.

Springpod commissioned the research as it launched new career website featuring online talks from a diverse pool of careers, including the Guinness World Record-holding inventor Richard Browning - creator of the fastest jet suit, which reaches speeds of 85mph.

Formula 1 engineer Joe Sturdy is also lined up to talk students through his path from school to the most exclusive racing grids in the world.

Oliver Fisher, co-founder of Springpod, said: “It’s clear that science is very much the ‘cool’ subject at school.

“We should be delighted to see so many youngsters wanting to pursue the world’s most exciting, innovative, and forward-thinking roles that will change the future of a generation.

“Despite more men wanting to enter into engineering roles, it’s interesting to note that last year girls overtook boys for the first time when it came to studying science at A-level, after decades to reduce the gap.

“The 2020s are set to be a renaissance period for female scientists.”

SWNS