Becoming an MD still a popular choice

For the third straight year, U.S. teens claim becoming a doctor fills their prescription for professional success.

A career in business, being a professional athlete or being a teacher follow close behind in desirability.

However, becoming an attorney may no longer hold the appeal it once did for young people. The occupation of lawyer now ranks fifth on the list of career choices for young people.

These are just two of the findings of the latest in a series of polls that examine the opinions of American youth on a range of topics. The research is sponsored by the world’s largest organization dedicated to educating young people about business, economics and the free enterprise system.

The nationwide poll of more than 1,500 middle grades and high school students revealed that 30 percent of the young people surveyed think they will secure the ideal job.

The respondents also expect to be wealthy-particularly the boys. Nearly two out of three boys think they will make at least $1 million by age 40. However, only one out of three girls believe the same thing. In fact, nearly a quarter of girls-24 percent-believe they will make less than $50,000 per year by age 40, compared to 11 percent of boys who think so.

Despite the range of career aspirations they reported, 60 percent of students questioned said they would rather have a career that allows them to spend time with family and have fun, even when confronted with earning less money.

The survey was carried out as part of the JA Interprise Poll-an ongoing study of students’ views of economic issues sponsored by Junior Achievement.

For more information on JA and the survey, visit www.ja.org or call (800) 843-6395 or write JA National Headquarters, One Education Way, Colorado Springs, CO 80906.