Almost 40% of Millennials are choosing their careers based on TV

TV is playing a major role in helping the younger generation make career choices as a study reveals that 39% of Millennials have been inspired to take up a profession based on a TV show. Medical and police procedurals top the country’s favourite programmes to watch, with lawyers, police officers and doctors topping the most commonly depicted professions in television.

Almost two thirds of people admitted in the report by Fletchers Solicitors that they’ve looked into a change in profession after seeing it represented on TV, but over half didn’t make the career jump. Believing that programmes sugar-coat and embellish too much, 38% were underwhelmed by the real life counterparts.

While many are inspired to take up a career in law, teaching or journalism based on their watching habits, over a quarter of Millennials are taking to entrepreneurial positions inspired by business shows like the Dragons Den or the Apprentice. The report suggests that the business-pitching reality show is continuing to inspire future generations, with applications to university business degrees increasing by 10% over the last five years. Fletchers Solicitors believe the importance of TV role models go much further than many realise in shaping and informing career choices.

“Growing up I was fascinated by those TV lawyers who fought against the odds to secure justice for their clients, and that still affects how I see my job today,” admitted Ed Fletcher, Fletcher Solicitors CEO. “We have seen in previous years how shows such as CSI have led to a surge in forensic science course applications, and it seems that it is now the turn of business professions to benefit from an influx in interest and applicants.”

Believing TV companies have a responsibility to help shape and encourage future industries, Ed Fletcher said that production houses should be aware of what skills will be needed most in the coming decades.

“With that in mind,” he continued, “perhaps we need shows that popularise engineers or mathematicians to help shape future generations.”