Teacher is most coveted job for teenagers

By Kim Se-jeong

The most coveted job for middle and high school students in Korea is a school teacher, according to a recent survey.

The state-run Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training poll showed a preference for the profession in both male and female students. Among elementary school students, female students wanted to be teachers, while male students said they wanted to be athletes.

The institute asked a total of 180,402 students ― 73,262 from elementary schools, 62,203 from middle schools and 44,937 from high schools.

The percentage of middle school students who wanted to be teachers was 28.3 percent ― 8.9 percent among males and 19.4 among females; as did 24.6 percent of high school students ― 9 percent of males and 15.6 percent of females. Among elementary school students, 17.8 percent of female students said they wanted to be a teacher, while 21.1 percent of males wanted to be athletes.

The list of other favored jobs included doctors, scientists, researchers, entertainers, entrepreneurs, lawyers and chefs. Female students also showed a stronger desire to be a pop singer or an actress.

The survey also showed parents were the most important job counselor for students, and they showed stronger preferences for being a teacher or a medical doctor for their children’s future career.

Teachers also affected students in choosing their jobs. Yet, the survey showed more than 20 percent of students in each category sought no job counseling at all.

In addition, more than half of the respondents answered having a happy family and pursuing something they can enjoy were the two most important things in life. Getting wealth and fame came next.