“It’s either a lawyer or an architect,” the year 10 student at Bendigo South East College says.

“Mum had a bit to do with law, so she gives me an insight into how all that works. And Dad’s a builder, so having the experience with him in the tools and different things like that gives me an understanding of how architecture works.”

A new study by the Australian Institute of Family Studies has found six in ten 14 to 15-year-olds know what career they would like to have in the future.

Of those who knew, almost 60 per cent said they aspired to a professional or managerial job, which includes roles such as a doctor, lawyer, engineer, teacher and journalist.

Sixteen per cent said they were after a technical or trade career; while ten per cent indicated they wanted to pursue work in sports and performing arts.

Less realistic career aspirations included a Youtuber, Apple genius, professional skateboarder and a stunt car driver.

Alex says it will be a tough decision to choose between a lawyer or an architect, but at this stage he’s not too concerned about where he’ll end up.

Fellow BSE student Victoria Tangey has found inspiration in her parents’ careers with both working in the property industry.

For Victoria, she also wants to work in the field, but possibly as a company director.

“I just really like the field,” she says.

Jemma Lyons says it was her mum that lead her down the path of teaching.

“Just hearing her come home with all of her stories and seeing kids grow,” she said. “I just love that idea that you’d be able to see other people grow and be able to help other people.”

Originally the year 10 student wanted to pursue primary school teaching, but changed to secondary school after making the move herself.

“I just love the setting so much more and I love the independence,” she said.

Fifteen-year-old Bailey Matheson decided on a TV actor after getting into drama in year 7.

“It’s just slowly built with me doing media classes, photography classes, and just understanding all the different elements,” he said.

“I’m all interested in film and all the aspects that go along with it – directing, script-writing, acting. There’s just so many different areas.”

Bailey’s under no illusion that it will be an easy field to get into, acknowledging it’s a tough industry to crack.

“If I’m working in Maccas for ten years, that’s what happens,” he said. “As long as I get that dream job.”