“My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” (Psalm 42:2)
“…we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him…” (Romans 8:28)
The results are in! The BBC Bitesize Careers Survey of 4,000 13–16-year-olds across the UK for 2025 reveals the top 10 jobs teenagers want. Pilot entered the top 10 for the first time, while doctor, engineer and teacher remained the top three most popular choices. An astonishing 85% of the teens surveyed said they were “confident” that they would get their desired job. The self-belief and self-confidence is admirable though I can’t help feeling that there may be some over-optimism there. Perhaps even a little over-estimation of their own opportunities and abilities?
Most heartening though was reading that the teenagers ranked doctor in first place and the NHS as the organisation they would “most like to work for” ahead of Google, Apple and NASA. This surely says something about a desire to serve and to make a difference. And asked to rate what would be most important to them in their career, it was encouraging that only 18% answered ‘Money’ while 54% opted for ‘Happiness’ and ‘Feeling good about yourself.’ There is clearly a thirst for lives that will be satisfying and fulfilling.
Looking through these survey results made me reflect on the words of the Sons of Korah in this Psalm. Life does not always turn out the way we had hoped for. Our dreams don’t always become realities. Indeed, they might have become illusions or even nightmares for a season. But if our deepest thirst is always for God, for the living God, then we know it will all work out for the good. The Great Redeemer can make all things new.