Fears about a growing shortage of skilled IT workers in UK may be misplaced, if the results of a new survey of 12-15 year olds are to be believed.
Almost a quarter of 12-15 year olds say they would like a career working with computers, far more than want to be elected prime minister or become a pop star.
The survey by IT service operators Parity found that the main attractions of an IT career are good salaries and working with exciting technology. Just one in five wanted to do the job because they felt it would be fun.
Only 15 per cent want to be a pop star and 13 per cent a doctor. Way down at the bottom of the list of ambitions are being a bank managers or a teacher.
Peter Linas, of Parity, said that IT is capturing the younger generation's imagination, reversing the perceived lack of interest in IT in the UK.
"This tide has been reversed in recent years,” he said. "This goes to show that the tech industries image has changed significantly over a short period of time," he said
According to Linas, the gaming industry has a lot to do with IT’s improved image, but the runaway success of Bill Gates and the legacy of the dot.com boom also have much to answer for.