CONFUSED schoolchildren are falling victim to a “patchy” careers advice system which inflates their expectations only to have them dashed 10 years later.
Spoiled for choice and told by their parents they can be and do anything, new research has revealed a yawning gap between school children’s dreams and economic reality.
The National Centre for Vocational Education and Research study of over 2000 kids found while many planned to be lawyers, psychologists, designers and vets at age 15, when interviewed again at 25 the majority ended up sales assistants, primary school teachers and retail managers.
An estimated 60 per cent of students would aspire to positions that only 20 per cent attain.
Psychologist and RMIT Professor Helen McGrath has blamed a mollycoddling culture from parents.
“Parents need to focus more on giving their children some realistic feedback about what their strengths are rather than giving that message of `you can do anything you want if you set your mind to it’,” she said.
“You simply can’t do everything, and the end result is that you fall flat on your face when you realise that even if you work hard you’re not getting anywhere.
“Parents are always worried about bolstering their children’s self-esteem thinking that it is the driver of everything. Doing that makes things worse in most cases.”
The 10-year study also found aspiring accountants have the firmest grip on reality.
Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor
Job Market Monitor 
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