Pro gamer, streamer and footballer have been named the most popular career choices by UK children in a new poll.
They’ve been voted the most popular in a new study of 1,306 UK children aged between six and 17, conducted by YouGov and Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) Charity in the last week of May 2024.
When asked about their career aspirations, 17% of those polled said they want to be a footballer, 17% said they want to be a gamer, and 17% said they want to be a streamer.
16% said they want to be a video game developer.
The least popular career choices as voted for by UK children and young people included Prime Minister (4%) and activist (4%). Other unpopular choices included vet, environmental scientist, lawyer and astronaut, which were all tied on 7%.
Also, while the public might expect an influencer to rate highly as a career aspiration for teens, it’s clear there’s a switch as young people grow older. 20% of ten-year-olds want a career as an influencer, but just 6% of 15-year-olds want to be one.
The data comes a few months after a separate survey asked: is an esports degree worth it?
“Our new research reveals the hopes and dreams of a generation of children and young people, and the new and emerging career areas that capture their imagination during formative childhood years. But sadly, the reality for seriously ill children treated at GOSH and elsewhere is that childhood may look very different to what they and their parents had imagined.”
Louise Parkes, GOSH Charity
Beyond careers aspirations, GOSH Charity also asked children what they were dreaming of in the coming year. While summer holidays, Christmas and birthdays top the list for most children and young people, and over a quarter of 6-year-olds (27%) are looking forward to learning to swim.
The GOSH Charity released the data and launched a new campaign to ensure no childhood is lost to serious illness.
Louise Parkes, Chief Executive of GOSH Charity said: “Our new research reveals the hopes and dreams of a generation of children and young people, and the new and emerging career areas that capture their imagination during formative childhood years. But sadly, the reality for seriously ill children treated at GOSH and elsewhere is that childhood may look very different to what they and their parents had imagined.
“At GOSH Charity, we do everything we can to give seriously ill children the best chance and the best childhood possible. We fund vital services and research that drives progress because we believe that no childhood should be lost to serious illness, and every child deserve to dream and have limitless ambitions as they grow up.
“That’s why we’re urging the public to join us and donate today, as we work to give seriously ill children the best chance, and the best childhood possible.”
Related article: Family who named charity after son’s gamertag – TheRockinR – keen to form esports team to honour his legacy
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Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He has almost two decades of experience in journalism, and left Esports News UK in June 2025.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He also previously worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation.
