The Career Quiz Annual Report

We ran the numbers, and the findings are intriguing.

Since the launch of the Career Quiz in January 2024, InvestIN has provided over 30,000 students with personalised career advice based on their answers. From the UK to the Bahamas, students continue to use the Career Quiz as a discovery tool to find their dream career. 

Let’s take a closer look at what the findings may reveal about the future of the professional world and provide insight into future career trends.

What is the Career Quiz?

Before we dive into the numbers, let’s explain what the Career Quiz is and how it helps students explore the next steps after school.

The Career Quiz is a multiple-choice quiz designed to help students aged 15-18 discover an industry that aligns with their skills, interests and career aspirations.

Once completed, students receive an email detailing their results and which career we believe they should consider. The email contains a personalised report identifying the next steps to pursue their future career, including recommended subject choices, skills to develop and top tips from professionals

Which Careers Came Out on Top? 

The Career Quiz recommends an industry based on students’ answers, then highlights potential jobs within that field.

The most popular industries are business & finance and healthcare, which both account for 23% of students. They are followed by law & politics (20%), science, technology & design (18%) and creative arts (16%).

The industry breakdown showcases the diversity among our students’ interests and the shared popularity of industries. With each industry encompassing a wide range of careers, the results are an excellent indication of the career opportunities available to students with similar skills.

Question Breakdown: Insight into Your Answers

So, how did your answers compare? Let’s take a look at some of the trends!

Shift Towards Modern Working Environments

The data strongly reflects the shifting professional norms, with only 11% of students preferring a traditional office setting. This is reinforced by 59% of students saying they seek a balance between office and hands-on work, and 52% preferring to work independently.

These statistics paint a picture of the modern workplace, with hybrid and flexible work models becoming the norm for most organisations since the COVID-19 pandemic.

During this time, students’ lives were shaped by periods of isolation and social disconnect, which may be linked to the majority of students favouring independent work. This growing preference for independence also highlights the rise of freelance and project-based work, which could lead to more careers built around entrepreneurship and flexible employment.

The shift towards prioritising a balanced lifestyle is also evident through nearly half of the students spending their free time being active or social, which also points to a health-conscious generation, emphasising the importance of work-life balance.

Emphasis on Skills-Based Professions

When asked about their decision-making approaches, over 60% of students revealed they carefully plan decisions and 57% favour realistic approaches. This shows that students value structured thinking and practicality.

These findings relate to various trends, including an increased interest in analytical fields and data-driven careers, which require evidence-based, logical thinking. The practical approach to decision-making and careful planning also reveals a preference for skills-based professions, including engineering and data analysis.

STEM Subjects Triumph

One of the most telling findings was that 60% of students said that STEM subjects are their favourite at school.

This represents a growing shift towards hands-on learning and applied skills among students. STEM subjects open the door to multidisciplinary fields, combining technical expertise with creativity, including roles like UX Designer and Robotics Engineer.

As advanced technology evolves, young people continue to show an interest in technology and innovation. These trends are reflected in career aspirations, indicating a generation drawn to tech-driven, innovative careers.

Your Answers Mapped: Global Statistics

With a diverse range of students taking the Career Quiz, it is easy to identify global trends.

The data shows that healthcare and business & finance are the two dominant global career interests. This trend is consistent across multiple regions, with students in Asia and North America showing a keen interest in healthcare, while South American and European students lean more towards business & finance.  

When we break these findings down further, we can see that business & finance was the leading field in the UK (23%), Türkiye (40%) and Spain (32%), while healthcare ranked highest in the US (25%) and the UAE (41%).

Some countries, including Kenya (27%), had the highest number of students in the science, technology & design field, while China (24%) was one of only a few countries where creative arts topped the list.

Below you can see the full continent data breakdown:

What Do the Results Tell Us?

Global Focus on Healthcare and Economic Growth 

With careers in healthcare and business & finance leading the way, the findings reflect global priorities surrounding health and economic growth. This trend could suggest a reaction to the global health and economic challenges in recent times.

As the healthcare system and economy continue to rebuild after the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, young professionals are aware of the importance of public health and economic stability. This has led to a growing demand for careers in these industries, with strength in a healthy and productive workforce.

InvestIN’s Weekend and Summer Experience Programmes back up this trend, with healthcare and investment banking consistently ranking as the most popular industries. The Young Doctor Programme was the most popular career from 2018-2021 and still remains the second most popular programme with 15% of students in 2024 behind the Young Investment Banker Programme, which accounted for 19% of students in 2024.

Law & Politics Maintain Respect Worldwide

Despite varying by region, law & politics is consistent worldwide at 20%. This highlights the universal relevance and demand for law & politics, reinforcing the worldwide reputation of the industry’s stable and respected career paths.

While most prominent among students in Oceania, where 32% of students showed an interest in the field, the consistent worldwide demand for law & politics may be linked to greater political engagement among students due to the ongoing demand for diverse representation across law & politics.

Take the Career Quiz!

Interested in discovering your dream career? The Career Quiz provides you with a breakdown of your skills profile, insight into your suggested career and academic and professional guidance to support your future career.

So, what are you waiting for? Take the Career Quiz!

Once you’ve got your results, explore InvestIN’s immersive career programmes and gain real-world industry experience alongside professionals in one of the world’s most competitive careers next summer.

Find your perfect career programme here.