Consumer insights platform GWI have found nearly one in six UK teens now want to be scientists, engineers or inventors (17 per cent) — beating the dream of becoming a content creator/influencer (13 per cent). The research, which surveyed over 500 12-15 year olds in the UK, reveals a stark difference from the generation before, with over half of Gen Z having dreamt of becoming influencers when they were teenagers.
Top five dream jobs for UK teens in 2025:
- Scientist / engineer / inventor – 17 per cent
- Video game designer / tech developer – 16 per cent
- Doctor / healthcare professional – 14 per cent pack
- Artist (e.g. musician, dancer, actor, painter) – 13 per cent
- Content creator / influencer – 13 per cent
Beyond career choices, GWI’s research also highlights a change in how teenagers view higher education. Since 2021, the amount of UK teens who say university is important has soared by 24 per cent – which might explain the move back towards more traditional dream jobs, many of which require a degree.
But the picture isn’t equal for everyone and the divide starts long before applications. Teens from high-income homes are 78 per cent more likely to say university ‘matters’ – a belief advantage that predicts who applies, not just who gets in.
Matt Smith, data analyst and trends expert at GWI said: “For Gen Z, the rise of social media made influencer careers feel new and exciting, so it’s little surprise that many dreamed of pursuing that career path.
“For Gen Alpha teens, however, the novelty has worn off. They have very different priorities,” continues Smith. “They’re more aware of the pitfalls of social media and are setting their sights on careers that demand knowledge and commitment, whether that’s science and tech to healthcare, with – university increasingly seen as an essential stepping stone to achieving their goals. But if access to higher education continues to depend on household income, we risk creating a workplace where opportunity is dictated by privilege rather than potential.”
