The latest research reveals that 25% of millennials have got the inspiration to start a business from such shows as BBC’s Dragons’ Den.
The figures show that some 35% of 18 to 30-year-olds have taken career inspiration from TV and that 48% have researched a job after watching a television programme. Dragons’ Den gets special mention, with 14% of those questioned saying it was their top TV career inspiration.
The research, entitled Careers on the Box and commissioned by Fletchers Solicitors, further reveals that applications for university business degrees have increased more than 10% over the past five years according to the latest UCAS figures. What’s more, the law profession has been a beneficiary of the new popularity of business.
One note of warning however, 38% of those questioned said that the reality of working life and setting up a business differed from the silver screen, as they felt the television made their job look better than it is.
CEO of Fletchers Solicitors Ed Fletcher said: “The impact of TV role models shouldn’t be underestimated. 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.
“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. It also suggests that TV production companies could have a role to play in helping inspire people into professions where there is going to be most need in 10 or 20 years’ time. With that in mind, perhaps we need shows that popularise engineers or mathematicians to help shape future generations.”
