South Korean students' career dreams shift: Athletes top for kids, fewer aiming for university

In South Korea, aspiring athletes lead the career aspirations of elementary school students, while teachers remain the most popular choice for those in middle and high school. This data comes from the 'Our Education Read Through Data' report, the 10th edition of an annual survey on career education.

The survey, conducted annually on approximately 37,400 students, parents, and teachers nationwide, reveals a significant shift in career ambitions. For elementary students, 'athlete' has overtaken 'teacher' as the top desired profession since 2020. 'Doctor' and 'creator' followed, indicating the influence of the digital environment on younger students' preferences. For middle and high school students, 'teacher' has consistently held the number one spot for 12 years.

However, a notable trend across all age groups is the decline in the percentage of students who have a clear career goal. The proportion of elementary students reporting a desired job dropped from 91.3% in 2015 to 78.1% in 2025. Similar decreases were observed for middle school students (73.0% to 59.9%) and high school students (81.7% to 71.3%).

Furthermore, high school students are showing less inclination towards university. The percentage hoping to attend university fell for the second consecutive year to 64.9% in 2025. Conversely, those planning to enter the workforce doubled from 7.0% in 2023 to 15.6% last year, and the desire to start a business also increased from 1.0% in 2015 to 3.3% in 2025. The Korea Educational Development Institute attributes this shift to policies like the high school credit system, encouraging students to explore diverse paths beyond traditional university education.