Social Media Drives a Shift in Career Aspirations—With Doctors and Lawyers Losing Ground
BOSTON— A new study has found that the most sought-after career for Generation Z isn’t doctor, lawyer, or engineer—it’s artist.
According to research conducted by intranet solutions firm Axero Intranet, “artist” tops the list of Gen Z’s dream jobs, with over 37.4 million TikTok posts linked to career-related hashtags like #TikTokArtist and #DigitalArtist. The ranking was determined by analyzing the volume of profession-related hashtags on TikTok, the go-to platform for Gen Z to express their identities and ambitions.
Following closely behind are jobs that reflect creativity and personal branding: model (27.8 million posts), makeup artist (22.5 million), dancer (14.9 million), and content creator (14.8 million).
“This research demonstrates the growing appeal of creative industries to Gen Z, despite the recent instability of the arts and entertainment industry,” said Adam Ilowite, CEO of Axero Intranet. “It’s undeniable that social media has utterly transformed the job market.”
Social Media’s Career Influence
TikTok has become a hub for career inspiration. From “day in the life” artist videos to viral dance routines and makeup tutorials, young people are discovering and aspiring to careers they can see in real-time. The app’s content-centric nature and direct engagement model have made traditional professions seem less accessible or appealing.
While Gen Z gravitates toward the arts, the arts and entertainment industry also has the highest employee turnover in the U.S., according to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics—a contrast that points to a desire for passion-driven careers despite uncertainty.
Top 10 Most Desired Jobs for Gen Z on TikTok
| Rank | Job Title | Hashtag Mentions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Artist | 37,400,000 |
| 2 | Model | 27,800,000 |
| 3 | Makeup Artist | 22,500,000 |
| 4 | Dancer | 14,900,000 |
| 5 | Content Creator | 14,800,000 |
| 6 | Streamer | 14,000,000 |
| 7 | Singer | 9,600,000 |
| 8 | Editor | 8,400,000 |
| 9 | Marketing | 7,500,000 |
| 10 | Influencer | 7,300,000 |
The Rise of Creative Economies
The fifth-most popular job, content creator, reflects a broader shift toward entrepreneurial and lifestyle-based careers. With brand partnerships, product placements, and the potential for virality, content creation has evolved from a hobby to a lucrative profession. Similarly, streamers (6th place) have turned live gaming and commentary into full-time careers, often backed by donations and sponsorships.
Singer, editor, and marketing also made the list, each profession benefiting from the expansive reach and visibility offered by social platforms. Even careers rooted in traditional skillsets, like editing and marketing, are gaining popularity as long as they intersect with digital and creative landscapes.
Traditional Roles Falling Behind
Surprisingly, jobs like doctor and lawyer—once considered gold standards of ambition—ranked far lower. “Doctor” came in at 17th place, while “lawyer” was ranked 28th. Also trailing were roles like IT manager, mental health nurse, and wellness coach.
“It’s slightly disappointing to observe how no jobs in the medical field appear in the top 10 ranking,” Ilowite added. “It will be interesting to observe whether more traditional roles rise in popularity in future years.”
Despite this trend, professions such as teacher, chef, and nurse still made the top 25, suggesting Gen Z still values meaningful, service-oriented work—just perhaps not with the same status-driven motivations as past generations.
A Generation Redefining Work
This study highlights how Gen Z is reshaping the very idea of what it means to have a career. Rather than follow in the footsteps of conventional prestige, they’re opting for personal expression, flexibility, and fulfillment.
As platforms like TikTok continue to blur the line between lifestyle and livelihood, the definition of “work” itself is shifting—and Gen Z is leading the charge.
The complete ranking:
|
Rank |
Job Title |
#JobTitle |
|
1 |
Artist |
37,400,000 |
|
2 |
Model |
27,800,000 |
|
3 |
Makeup artist |
22,500,000 |
|
4 |
Dancer |
14,900,000 |
|
5 |
Content creator |
14,800,000 |
|
6 |
Streamer |
14,000,000 |
|
7 |
Singer |
9,600,000 |
|
8 |
Editor |
8,400,000 |
|
9 |
Marketing |
7,500,000 |
|
10 |
Influencer |
7,300,000 |
|
11 |
YouTuber |
7,200,000 |
|
12 |
Teacher |
7,000,000 |
|
13 |
Actor |
5,800,000 |
|
14 |
Photographer |
5,700,000 |
|
15 |
Nurse |
4,900,000 |
|
16 |
Chef |
4,300,000 |
|
17 |
Doctor |
4,200,000 |
|
18 |
PR |
3,800,000 |
|
19 |
Personal trainer |
3,600,000 |
|
20 |
Comedian |
3,300,000 |
|
21 |
Athlete |
3,100,000 |
|
22 |
Finance |
2,900,000 |
|
23 |
Blogger |
2,800,000 |
|
24 |
Writer |
2,500,000 |
|
25 |
Fashion Designer |
2,200,000 |
|
26 |
Dentist |
2,000,000 |
|
27 |
Nail artist |
1,900,000 |
|
28 |
Barista |
1,600,000 |
|
28 |
Lawyer |
1,500,000 |
|
29 |
Police officer |
1,500,000 |
|
30 |
Firefighter |
1,400,000 |
|
31 |
Hairdresser |
1,300,000 |
|
32 |
Soldier |
1,100,000 |
|
33 |
Engineer |
803,500 |
|
34 |
Vet |
790,500 |
|
35 |
Footballer |
740,200 |
|
36 |
Flight attendant |
640,200 |
|
37 |
Director |
554,200 |
|
38 |
Therapist |
550,200 |
|
39 |
Architect |
508,800 |
|
40 |
Builder |
484,500 |
|
41 |
Fitness coach |
401,600 |
|
42 |
Paramedic |
382,100 |
|
43 |
Computer scientist |
343,300 |
|
44 |
Journalist |
340,700 |
|
45 |
Style blogger |
312,500 |
|
46 |
Dog walker |
305,800 |
|
47 |
Babysitter |
298,200 |
|
48 |
Astronaut |
292,800 |
|
49 |
Conservationist |
237,600 |
|
50 |
Programmer |
236,000 |
|
51 |
Detective |
226,500 |
|
52 |
Midwife |
222,300 |
|
53 |
Waitress |
195,200 |
|
54 |
Bus Driver |
190,400 |
|
55 |
Gardener |
186,700 |
|
56 |
Scientist |
181,300 |
|
57 |
Massage Therapist |
149,300 |
|
58 |
Software Developer |
142,100 |
|
59 |
Lifeguard |
139,800 |
|
60 |
Politician |
132,000 |
|
61 |
Waiter |
121,000 |
|
62 |
Food critic |
105,200 |
|
63 |
Estate Agent |
98,400 |
|
64 |
Football manager |
79,400 |
|
65 |
Zookeeper |
75,200 |
|
66 |
Lorry Driver |
71,500 |
|
67 |
Librarian |
66,800 |
|
68 |
Stewardess |
65,600 |
|
69 |
Carer |
51,000 |
|
70 |
Psychiatrist |
34,500 |
|
71 |
Barrister |
33,300 |
|
72 |
Speech therapist |
29,900 |
|
73 |
Train Driver |
26,600 |
|
74 |
Film critic |
25,600 |
|
75 |
Solicitor |
24,300 |
|
76 |
App developer |
14,900 |
|
77 |
Administrator |
12,700 |
|
78 |
Mental health nurse |
9,166 |
|
79 |
Geographer |
2,685 |
|
80 |
IT Manager |
1,845 |
|
81 |
Wellness coach |
1,707 |
|
|
|
