Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

TV Series that can inspire career choices?

41 replies

forensicstudies · 18/03/2017 09:43

Over the years I've heard various people say that certain TV drama series inspired their career choices. I'm thinking things like law, forensic science.

CSI springs to mind for forensics, but I've just looked at the IMDB parents guide for it and don't think it would be suitable for my Y8 DS!

Do any of you have suggestions of drama series that might be suitable for younger teens?

OP posts:
Allthebestnamesareused · 18/03/2017 17:39

Friends' daughter inspired by Ally McBeal to become a lawyer. At age 16 did a week's work experience with my corporate lawyer DH. Put her off - she became an actuary!

corythatwas · 18/03/2017 13:05

Serious risk with this approach, OP: they might be inspired to become actors Grin

MandMand · 18/03/2017 12:37

Sorry, only just realised you said Drama series, not documentaries.

MandMand · 18/03/2017 12:34

I know its not on any more but I think Time Team inspired a lot of people to study Archaeology or History. Not a huge amount of jobs in those fields any more though unfortunately, although if done at a good university they are well respected degrees for entry into many graduate training schemes.

The David Attenborough documentaries are very child friendly and could inspire an interest in science, as would the programmes Brian Cox has made about physics and astronomy, such as Wonders of the Universe or Human Universe. Stargazing Live is usually on for a week once a year and is brilliant for kids if they can stay up a bit later than usual.

My children are 7 and 10 and love watching Spring Watch, Autumn Watch and Winter Watch. Its really got them thinking about how different animals adapt to their environments and the changing seasons.

Graphista · 18/03/2017 12:21

All creatures currently running on drama, might be on uktvplay catch up.

All4 and iplayer tend to have quite old shows available might be worth a browse

Clavinova · 18/03/2017 12:21

5 reasons you shouldn't take a forensics bsc and what you should do instead:
forensicoutreach.com/library/5-reasons-you-shouldnt-take-a-forensics-bsc-and-what-you-should-do-instead/

University rankings for forensic science - choose your uni wisely!
www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings?s=Forensic%20Science

JooLoo · 18/03/2017 11:28

All Creatures Great and Small! If it's available these days!

Chimchar · 18/03/2017 11:16

Rhod Gilbert does a comedy type show where he tries a different career every week. It's 30 mins long.

He did building last night. It was a bit sweary, but fun to watch!

It might just be on BBC Wales. You could look on I player?

here

Graphista · 18/03/2017 11:14

The good wife, casualty, doctors, the bill, Boston legal, west wing, maybe silent witness depending if squeamish, ER, holby city, masterchef,

There's films too

Erin brokovich, all the presidents men,

Spam88 · 18/03/2017 11:14

No specific recommendations, but just wanted to throw out there that whilst tv might be great for fostering an interest in a certain profession, the reality is normally a million miles away from what's depicted (CSI being a particularly good example of this).

I was interested in becoming a forensic scientist following a talk we had from one in school. When I tried to arrange a work experience placement they were very wary of young people who'd found a sudden interest in forensics and made the point (several times) that it was nothing like CSI.

Original poster
forensicstudies · 18/03/2017 11:00

There's a good article about TV-inspired careers here but most of the shows referenced seem to be 15+: www.theguardian.com/money/2006/jun/03/careers.graduation

I think we may try the X-Files though! That's a 12.

OP posts:
oklumberjack · 18/03/2017 10:58

My dd, who's 12 claims she's interested in Pathology after watching Molly in Sherlock. Im not treating it too seriously at the moment as it hardly shows the 'real' job however it's made her very interested and impatient to get to do dissection in Science and has a renewed interest in human biology.

However she's also interested in Werewolves so......😂

Original poster
forensicstudies · 18/03/2017 10:50

Senua, don't fret, we'll do all that too. This just gives another angle.

We don't watch much TV together as a family, but when we do its an added bonus if it has some educational value. We watch documentaries, but it's good to have some drama sometimes too.

OP posts:
GlobalTechIndustries · 18/03/2017 10:26

Senu, because sometimes the shows give a deeper insight to the professions that they may not see from just talking with friends or colleagues. Books are good but sometimes to give more of a better perspective then the shows can give this detail.

senua · 18/03/2017 10:15

I don't get it. Why do you want your DCs' choice of career to be influenced by a fictionalised, idealised portrayal?

Speak to friends & family. Get work experience. Watch documentaries. Read biographies.
Get out into the real world!

wossgoinon · 18/03/2017 09:49

Hmm

Again not one for kids. But my daughter decided to become a criminologist after watching Dexter

Swipe left for the next trending thread