18 October 2026
Career motivations of 16-to-19-year-olds in England and Wales
A new article in the British Educational Research Journal, ‘Career motivations and perceptions of teaching of 16–19-year-olds in England and Wales’ by Sophie Thompson-Lee, Rebecca, J. S. Snell, Hui Wang and Robert M. Klassen, explores the career-related motivations of 16–19-year-olds across England and Wales.
672 young people participants completed a version of the Motivations for Career Choice and the Persistence Research in Science and Engineering scales. The areas of greatest interest were entrepreneurial and technology-related careers, with variations based on gender, ethnicity and subject area focus. The most important factors in career choice were motivations such as matching personal interests and the potential for excitement.
The analysis also included their perceptions of teaching as a career. The results showed that they had low interest in teaching and it was the least preferred career choice (of eight) for men, ethnic minorities and STEM students. Working with children and young adults was one of the least important motivators. The article recommends that misconceptions about teaching as a career need to be dispelled to encourage more young people to consider teaching as a career.
Read more about the career motivations of young people.
672 young people participants completed a version of the Motivations for Career Choice and the Persistence Research in Science and Engineering scales. The areas of greatest interest were entrepreneurial and technology-related careers, with variations based on gender, ethnicity and subject area focus. The most important factors in career choice were motivations such as matching personal interests and the potential for excitement.
The analysis also included their perceptions of teaching as a career. The results showed that they had low interest in teaching and it was the least preferred career choice (of eight) for men, ethnic minorities and STEM students. Working with children and young adults was one of the least important motivators. The article recommends that misconceptions about teaching as a career need to be dispelled to encourage more young people to consider teaching as a career.
Read more about the career motivations of young people.
0 Comments
