A survey indicates that 60% of people in the UK do not view careers in the creative sector as "real jobs"

A substantial portion of adults in the UK, nearly 66%, do not view professions in the sectors of gaming, film, television, animation, and visual effects as "legitimate careers".

This insight stems from a survey initiated by Escape Studios, an educational institution specializing in animation, gaming, and visual effects based in North Greenwich, London.

The survey, managed by Censuswide, collected responses from 2,008 adults during the period of August 12 to August 14, 2024.

Participants of the survey relegated creative professions to the bottom tier of what they consider "legitimate careers", with law (62%), accounting (58%), and healthcare (58%) being more esteemed.

Approximately 40% of those queried indicated that careers perceived as having "defined advancement" or a "clear progression path" are deemed more legitimate.

Less than half of those surveyed acknowledged creative industry jobs as "legitimate careers", and 31% of parents and guardians reported they wouldn't recommend such careers to their offspring.

These reservations are attributed to issues such as job instability (32%), difficulty in excelling without industry connections (25%), and insufficient salaries (22%).

The survey further revealed that nearly 50% of British people perceive degrees in creative disciplines to be less credible than others, with 61% having no knowledge of educational entities specializing in creative sector training.

"It's disheartening to witness these survey outcomes and the low regard for creative fields," commented Ian Palmer, the principal of Escape Studios. "There's a need to enhance awareness about educational options in these fields and highlight the contributions of this sector to the UK."

He continued: "As we approach the beginning of a new academic year, we are eager to introduce more students to the captivating realms of visual effects, animation, and gaming. By addressing misconceptions and promoting awareness, we hope to attract a diverse group of students in the future."