Rocket woman



Jordan (age 13) did the IT careers test ('Plan-it') last week. We were not at all surprised when it took her aptitude for science and maths and her desire to do something loving and caring and came up with 'Doctor', along with all manner of other medical careers. It probably helped that she told it 'I want to be a doctor'. However, we were rather more taken aback by the alternative career suggestion - astronaut. Maybe they noted her tendency to appear as though she lives on another planet at times; but I thought that was common to all teenagers.

It still wasn't as entertaining as one of her friends, who had the options of 'actor' (I expect this was due to him telling the computer 'I want to be an actor') or....greengrocer. Computer says no, indeed. We can't possibly imagine what questions the program asked to come up with this conclusion.

'Do you like vegetables?' IF YES...

'Do you like to be in an environment where vegetables are the predominant lifeform?' IF YES...

'Do you like to feel a sense of power over the destiny of vegetables?' IF YES...'GREENGROCER!'

Alternatively...

'Do you like vegetables?' IF YES...

'Do you like to be in an environment where vegetables are the predominant lifeform?' IF YES...

'Do you like to feel a sense of power over the destiny of vegetables?' IF NO....'ACTOR!'

...or something like that (apologies to any non-vegetable-like actors out there).

Comments

Ellen Loudon said…
well, one of mine is pregnant which means I will be a step-grandmother at 40! The other has just got a place at art college...the smallest still wants to be a hairdresser/painter/dancer/writer/mummy.
I wanted to be a popstar and it seems quite likely I will be a vicar! So, best laid plans and all that...hey ho. xxx
bigdaddystevieB said…
I've "enjoyed" similar experiences working at a secondary school. My favourite was a 15 year old girl pupil who was interested in photography, art and anything to do with young children: the computer came up with "train driver" at the top of the list!
Tracey Wheeler said…
At Jordan's age I wanted to be a journalist. I went to an all-girls school, and we were bemused when the IT system of its day (probably the first of its kind, now I come to think of it) told every last girl in the year to be a fireman. Perhaps now it wouldn't seem so strange.
Becky said…
Having been the person "administering" the test to approximately 100 of Jordan's peers, I was most bemused by the prevalence of "embalmer" as a suggested career...

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