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The careers that teenagers dream about can tell us a lot about their values, especially as they’re shaped by media and pop culture. So what do the teens of today want to do when they grow up? Recently, Teen Ink magazine polled high school students about their dream jobs, and these were some of their top choices. Interestingly, the jobs range from altruistic to glamorous, reflecting aspirations driven by both social conscience and media fascination. And as we can see, some are more realistically attainable than others.
Journalist. The idea of globe-trotting wherever news happens, investigating stories, and writing for newspapers and magazines does sound exciting. To enter the world of journalism, a college degree in journalism, communications, or English is important, especially if you want to go beyond the small town paper into national and international publications. You should also be an excellent writer with good ethics and a respect for facts and fairness.
Fashion designer. For the person who not only loves clothes but is also interested in the apparel manufacturing industry, fashion design can be an ideal field to pursue. Even if one is not interested in starting a label, there are several career tracks within fashion design, including buying, merchandising, and marketing. Those seriously interested in breaking into the business are advised to earn a degree from an accredited fashion college, as well as have an industry internship or relevant work experience under their belts.
Photographer. As a shutterbug, you might be photographing celebrities and seeing your work on the cover of magazines. But that’s a big “might.” 99% of photography jobs are much more mundane. Anyone with a camera can call himself a photographer, so you must learn to differentiate yourself, specializing in a targeted field like consumer products, advertising, or fashion design, and then work relentlessly to promote yourself to potential clients.
Interior designer. Designing the spaces in which people live and work can be both artistically and professionally rewarding. But interior design is about more than just choosing colors, fabrics and furniture. A designer also has to be knowledgeable about construction codes, engineering, and safety. That’s why many states require interior designers to be certified, only granting licenses after candidates have earned an Interior Design degree from an accredited college.
