Did a TV show influence your career?

How did you settle on a career? Was it the example of your parents that inspired you, perhaps, a school careers advisor - or a prime time television programme?

New research from reed.co.uk reveals that an astonishing 35% of under-18s say that TV is affecting their choice of career path.

The Apprentice was named as the most influential TV show, closely followed by Silent Witness and Masterchef. Surprisingly, perhaps, X Factor appears only at number 22 in the list - behind 1970s retail comedy Are You Being Served.

But are the jobs in these series really what they seem?

"Whilst TV programmes may not always portray an industry or role in the most realistic of lights, our research shows they play an important role on influencing the next generation of chefs, entrepreneurs and pathologists," says Lynn Cahillane, communications manager at reed.co.uk.

We look at what the top ten really entail.

The Apprentice: entrepreneur

After leaving school at 16, Lord Sugar worked briefly for the Civil Service before setting up a business selling car aerials and electrical goods from a van he'd bought for £50. In 1968, he founded Amstrad, which at one point was worth £1.2 billion - although it was later sold to Sky for just £125 million.

"Youngsters have got to stop thinking about becoming the next Zuckerberg," says Lord Sugar. "It's a trillion-to-one chance."

Instead, he says, stick to what you know and be pragmatic about what you can offer. "Ask yourself, am I going to be any different to the 30,000 people already in the marketplace? What are my customers going to get from me that they aren't going to get from someone else?" he says. "Are you the cheap one, the one with good service, the ethical or bespoke one? What's your hook?"

Silent Witness - forensic pathologist

Sam Ryan, played by Amanda Burton, was based on a real forensic pathologist known to author Nigel McCrery, a former murder squad detective.

As a forensic pathologist, you'll be working with dead people - but you'll still need to be qualified to treat live ones and have a medical degree, which takes around five years. After that, there's a two-year foundation programme, at which point you can finally apply for specialist training.

"Forensic pathology is probably the most high profile of all the pathological specialties, but is relatively small in terms of number of practitioners," says the Royal College of Pathologists.

"It is a specialty that requires good communication skills as well as an ability to work under pressure and a flexible approach to the working day, as much of the work is unpredictable."

MasterChef - chef

After leaving school at 16, Michel Roux Jr had a bit of a head start, working for several years for his father at Le Gavroche. After stints around the world, he finally took over the celebrated restaurant in 1993.

You don't need a degree to become a chef, although you'll almost certainly have to have some sort of relevant qualification and a bit of work experience.

"Being a chef involves long hours and hard work and, in order to be successful in this industry, you'll need to have drive and ambition. It's a position based on team work, with all the kitchen staff needing to work together harmoniously in order to produce a final outcome," says Reed.

"The kitchen is a fast-paced, stressful environment, so the ability to keep calm under pressure is also essential."

Art Attack - artist

Art Attack presenter Lloyd Warbey isn't an artist himself, but has celarly served as a source of inspiration for many. The programme gives an insight into how artists really work, following them as they create a piece.

Many artists have no qualifications, but a degree or other formal training will help. It's a highly competitive world, and few artists make much of a living from their work.

"I enjoy the varied nature of the work that I do and that every day brings something new. The people that I meet through my work are very interesting, and I like visiting different spaces and hearing what other people are doing," says visual artist Helen Shaddock.

"In order to afford to rent my studio and make my artwork I need to have various other jobs, and it is difficult to juggle everything. I am constantly having to think about finances and do not live a luxurious lifestyle at all."

DIY SOS - interior designer

TV programmes can make it look as if all that's required to be an interior designer is good taste in wallpapers and fabrics. But you'll need a good head for budgets and the ability to organise workers.

To work in an existing firm, you'll probably need at least a first degree, but many interior designers set up shop on their own, usually after a short course.

"My tips for others wishing to set up an interior design business is that you need to find a unique selling point as there are so many interior design businesses around now. This could be eco design or being a specialist in a particular design area, e.g. gastro pubs," says interior designer Pam.

"Concentrate on an area that excites you, and hopefully other things will branch off from this. You also need to pick up some practical business skills and an awareness of how designers make profit from sourcing products from manufacturers and getting designer discounts by buying in bulk."

Only Fools and Horses - market trader

Del and Rodney made a fortune by finding a valuable old watch; needless to say, this isn't the norm. But working as a market trader gets you out meeting people, and doesn't require any qualifications.

"My advice for anybody thinking of becoming a market trader would be to say that people aren't going to know that you are there overnight: it's a long-term venture," says Tracie Turnbull of Coventry's Ben N Zaks Florist.

"Join a trade association like the NMTF, who can offer a vast amount of knowledge about all markets and the legal requirements. Get involved if the market have a traders' committee; most traders stick together and can offer a lot of daily support on the ups and downs of daily trading."
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The X Files - forensic scientist

If the many years of training to be a forensic pathologist aren't for you, you can still help solve crimes as a forensic scientist. You'll need a degree in a biology- or chemistry-related subject, and show great attention to detail.

"I enjoy the variety I experience within my working day. One day I maybe working on a motoring offence, the next day a murder," writes forensic scientist Jennifer McDaid.

"Although attending court as witness is often a nerve-racking experience, it can be very satisfying knowing that you have helped the court to understand a complicated scientific issue."

Animal Rescue - vet

You'll need three good A-levels, usually including chemistry and biology, plus a special test called the BMAT and varied work experience, followed by a veterinary degree. It takes five years in all to become qualified.

"The best thing about being a vet, for me, is the relationships you build both with the pet and with the owner. These are not superficial 'work relationships' that you may get in other jobs - you are helping a member of their family and you see (and are part of) all of the emotional lows and highs. You get to know them on a different level," says vet Janey Lowes.

"It is not the best thing when you are lying awake at 4am worrying about a certain case, but ultimately it means that you care. Not just about the clinical outcome but about the family you have become a part of for a short while."

Are You Being Served - retail worker

Working in a department store can offer great perks - staff discounts and the like. John Lewis is regularly voted one of the best companies in the UK to work for.

"Everyone is very friendly and supportive, they really do help you develop as a sales assistant and make your time there is as enjoyable as possible," says one sales assistant from Peterborough. "You work harder because you're all in it together; it makes you feel like a family."

Absolutely Fabulous - PR

Most PR people have to be rather more organised - and rather more accommodating - than Ab Fab's Edina. You'll be dealing with everything from journalists' enquiries to managing promotional events. There aren't any required qualifications, though most people will have a degree.

"Working closely with the press means you need to meet their deadlines - they won't delay printing the newspaper just for you. A lot of people don't understand a deadline is a deadline, so one of the biggest challenges I have is getting this across when we're working on a press statement," writes communications officer Natalie McEwan.

"My advice to others hoping to enter this area is to be prepared to start from the bottom and work your way up. This area of work is highly competitive, but if you can secure a position at a PR and marketing agency you can gradually gain the skills you need to progress."

The top 25 most influential TV programmes (Reed)

1 The Apprentice - Entrepreneur
2 Silent Witness - Pathologist
3 Masterchef - Chef
4 Art Attack - Artist
5 DIY SOS - Interior Designer
6 Only Fools and Horses - Market Trader
7 The X Files - Forensic Scientist
8 Animal Rescue - Vet
9 Are You Being Served - Retail Worker
10 Absolutely Fabulous - PR
11 Casualty - Doctor
12 Three in a Bed - Hospitality
13 The Bill - Emergency Services
14 Airport - Airport Steward
15 True Detective - Detective
16 Mad Men - Advertising
17 Great British Bake Off - Baker
18 Allo Allo - Hospitality
19 Teachers - Teacher
20 Dad's Army - Army
21 The Good Wife - Lawyer
22 X Factor - Singer
23 Ally McBeal - Lawyer
24 Britain's Next Top Model - Model
25 Drop the Dead Donkey - Journalist

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