www.acs.org.au/teensurvey July 2009
About the Australian Computer Society The ACS (Australian Computer Society) is the recognised professional association for those working in Information and Communications Technology, seeking to raise the standing of ICT professionals and represent their views to government, industry and the community. A member of the Australian Council of Professions, the ACS is the guardian of professional ethics and standards in the ICT sector, committed to ensuring the beneficial use of ICT for all Australians. It provides both members and non-members with opportunities for professional education, networking and certification, as well as enabling them to contribute to the development of their profession. Visit www.acs.org.au for more.
About the survey The online survey of teenagers was conducted for the ACS by Habbo Australia Habbo (www.habbo.com.au) is the world s most popular virtual world for teenagers and Australia s most popular online playground with 307,395 [1] unique visitors a month. Habbo currently holds some of the most comprehensive teen research in Australia. The national online survey of 1,820 Australian and New Zealanders aged 12 to 18 years old was completed in July 2009. A balanced number of female and males participated in the survey, with respondents from each state and territory of Australia. The survey results revealed that IT & Technology Professionals careers are now the most popular career choice amongst 12 18 year olds. The majority () of respondents (1,820 survey respondents) said they thought about being on the edge of new technological developments when considering a career in technology. Nearly a quarter (21%) of teens thought a career in technology was pretty cool, whilst associated technology as a career that earns a lot of money. Only thought a career in technology was geeky or boring. Judging by the survey results, it seems young people are starting to understand that the most exciting career opportunities will evolve out of our technology sector. The next decade will be an exciting time for our industry and those looking to have an impact on the way that we live and work. [1] Google Analytics, June 2009
Are you a 56% 54% 53.61% 52% 5 48% 46% 46.39% 44% 42% Male Female Where do you live? 27.6 22.13% 19.23% 1.53% 8.03% 6.23% 0.93% 2.57% 11.69% NSW ACT VIC WA SA NT TAS QLD New Zealand
How old are you? 18. 21.09% 20.5 16.4 c 8.8 10.27% 4.64% 12 or under 13 14 15 16 17 18 or older Have you started thinking about your career options? 6 55.46% 5 4 35.14% 7.21% 2.19% Yes, I've thought about my career options a lot Yes, I've thought about my career options a few time No, I haven't I don't know
Which of these careers are you most interested in? (Please choose one) Engineer Community Development and Charity Work Design - Graphics and Interior Environmental Advocate Accountant Marketing/ Public Relations Teacher Doctor Animation and Gaming Professional Athlete 1.26% 0.66% 3.06% 2.08% 3.5 1.42% 0.98% 2.24% 4.7 5.14% 5.36% 7.6 7.76% 7.27% 7.21% 9.4 9.23% 9.13% 11.86% 2% 4% 6% 8% 12% 14% When do you think of a career in technology, which of the following may come to mind? You can choose several I don't think about careers in technology 7.98% I don't know what it means 1.31% You're on the edge of new stuff and technological developments 30.38% There are lots of travel opportunities 3.99% It's pretty cool 20.93% They get to do a lot of problem solving 7.6 It s a boys career It's geeky It seems boring 2.4 5.19% 5.03% You get paid a lot of money 15.19% 3
Do you know anyone that works in the technology industry? 3 29.67% 31.58% 15.79% 17.0 13.72% 8. 7.87% Yes - My Mum/dad works in IT Yes - My brother/sister works in IT Yes - An extended family member works in IT (e.g Aunt, Uncle, Cousin) Yes - My friends work in IT Yes - My neighbour works in IT No, I don't know anyone that works in IT I don't know Do you plan to study technology related subjects in the future (e. g. Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Information Techonolgy, etc)? 28.47% 21.04% 22.62% 17.87% 10.0 Yes - at University Yes - at TAFE Maybe - I'm still thinking about it No Undecided
Do you think your teachers understand how to use modern technology equipment? 6 54.21% 5 4 36.01% 8.47% 1.31% Yes - My teachers use it all the time A little - My teacher just know how to use the basic No - My teachers rarely use any modern technology at school My teachers never use any modern technology at speed Does your school offer any technology or IT related courses or electives (e.g. Design & Technology, Information Processes & Technology,Computer, etc? 9 8 82.9 7 6 5 4 6.01% 11.09% Yes No I don t know
Do you participate in these classes? 4 4 41.48% 3 22.46% 11.09% 9.89% 12.57% 5.68% Yes, often Yes, sometimes Yes, I have participated once No, but I probably will No, and I probably wont My school doesn t offer these kind of courses Does your career counsellor at school talk to you about a career in technology? 4 37.54% 3 22. 21. 19.02% Yes, they've mentioned technology careers to me Sometimes, they've mentioned it once or twice No, they havent talked about careers in technology with me I don t speak with my career counsellor
Do you think work experience (e.g. working at a company during a term) is an important part of higher education (University, TAFE, etc)? 6 53.77% 5 4 31.53% 4.26% 2.08% 8.36% Yes - definitely Somewhat important - should be an option for people that want to do that Not really important Not important at all I don t know Does your school supply you with technological equipment (e.g. Laptops)? 7 66.61% 6 5 4 28. 5.14% Yes No I don t know
Do you have a laptop? 4 4 40.27% 3 22.13% 13.01% 13.72% 9.18% 1.69% Yes - I have one Yes - I have two Yes - I have three or more No, but I want one No, but I have a desktop PC No, I don t have one Where do you primarily use your laptop? 4 4 39.89% 3 24.64% 31.31% 4. At home At school I use it both at home and at school I don t have a laptop
Would you say you have a good understanding of computers and how they work? 8 7 70.0 6 5 4 27.0 1.7 0.49% 0.66% Yes, I know lots Yes, I have a basic understanding No, I don t understand that much No, Computers don t like me and I don t understand them I don t know Would you be interested in a technology career in any of the following companies? Choose your top three companies. Other, please list Sony 11. 16.34% Nintendo 31.91% Yahoo! 1.97% Animal Logic (Creators of Happy Feet) Any company working on Green Technology initiatives 5.14% 8.96% Habbo Australia 72.9 Nokia Qantas Telstra 7.43% 6.83% 4.81% Apple 30.27% MySpace 16.78% Commonwealth Bank 3.28% Microsoft 25. Facebook 13.72% Google 43.22% 4 5 6 7 8
Google was recently voted Australia's best place to work, if you had the opportunity to work at Google, would you? 60.0 50.0 48.31% 40.0 30.0 24.26% 20.0 18.42% 10.0 9.02% 0.0 I wouldn t want to work at Google, working in technology doesn t interest me I would love to work at Google, the company is so cool I would like to work at Google, but I am not interested in working in technology Undecided
Acknowledgment The ACS would like to thank Habbo Australia for its contribution in conducting the survey. Australian Computer Society Level 3, 160 Clarence Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Tel. +61 2 9299 3666 Fax. +61 2 9299 3997 www.acs.org.au @2009 Australian Computer Society Published July 2009