AIM Entrepreneur's?

Monday, January 15, 2007 Two Of Three Teens Surveyed Want To Be Self-Employed

LANSING – Some 70 percent of American teens surveyed recently said they'd like to be self-employed at some point in their lives, with males slightly more inclined than females. JA Interprise Poll on Entrepreneurship said teens also acknowledge that hard work and determination, a college education, and hands-on experience are all important to succeed as an entrepreneur. Of the 1,474 teens responding to the survey, 70.9 percent indicated that they would like to be self-employed at some point in their lives. Male students are more inclined to consider starting a business 77 percent than female respondents, 65.6 percent. Teens with family members or close relatives owning a business are more likely to seek self-employment (77.8 percent) compared to only 64 percent of students with no self-employed family members or relatives. Although more than 70 percent of teens express a desire to become self-employed, most appreciate the challenges that this process entails. Only 8 percent of teens thought that starting their own business would be “very easy” or “easy.” What kind of businesses would teens like to start? “Professional services” - such as an accountant, lawyer, and insurance agent - was the top category selected (32.4 percent), followed by “retail business” (26.3 percent). Teens think that hands-on experience is the best means to learn about a business that they wish to pursue. “Working in the same industry first” was selected by 49.5 percent of teens as the top resource for finding out how to start a business. The Internet was a distant second with 15.3 percent. In reviewing a list of ingredients for business success, students selected “hard work and determination” as their top pick (33.4 percent) for the fifth year. “Leadership and management skills” followed with 25.1 percent. Students are divided on where they can derive the most job security. Self-employment was cited by 36.5 percent as offering the most security, barely surpassing company employment with 35.1 percent. The remaining teens (28.4 percent) indicated a “not sure” on this question. This story was provided by the Small Business Association of Michigan. To learn more, click on SBAM.Org

Author: Staff Writer Source: Small Business Association of Michigan