Attitudes to ICT careers

This research is targeted towards industry and government, to develop messages encouraging more young people to study and work in the ICT field.

Recent research concludes that the ICT sector needs an image revamp to show young people that this field can provide the excitement, creativity and fun they say they are looking for from their future careers.

The findings also highlight that young people's attitudes towards ICT are ripe for change, with 40 per cent of students surveyed admitting they have little understanding about what working in ICT actually entails.

Key findings include:

Almost 30% of students showed ‘some interest’ and understanding in ICT which, combined with 13% of students who showed ‘strong interest’ suggested a solid starting point from which to build further interest and understanding.

Students who had exposure to ICT at secondary school (particularly in Years 9 and 10) were more likely to be interested in further study and/or a career in ICT.

The most positive aspect of a career in ICT is working with the latest technology (62%). Other positive aspects include: ICT is a growing industry (47%); lots of job opportunities available (47%); and ICT is well paid (42%).

One of the major barriers to overcome remains the perception that working in ICT means sitting in front of a computer all day and that as a career ICT would be boring.

Multimedia Victoria has taken a lead role in investigating young people's attitudes towards ICT study and careers. Such research was conducted in 2001, and later updated and expanded in 2004 and 2007.

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Further Information

2007 Attitudes to ICT Careers PDF publication