Being a DJ is the Number One Dream Career in New Zealand

A new study carried out by money transfer and exchange service Remitly has found that being a DJ ranks as the number one dream career for New Zealanders. The findings, which highlight a significant shift in professional aspirations, were obtained after the company analyzed global online search trends for new career paths.

While the profession claimed the top spot for those based in New Zealand, it also secured a notable tenth place globally. In this international context, the role of a disc jockey ranked above traditional professions such as doctor and nurse, though it remained below occupations like actor, firefighter, lawyer, and YouTuber. Furthermore, the data indicated that “how to be a music producer” was also a highly popular search term among New Zealanders, ranking 15th in the country-specific data.

Elaborating on the methodology behind the study, Remitly noted: “In 2022, we set out to uncover the world’s most coveted dream jobs. We revisited the data in 2024, and now, two years on, we’re back for a third look at the most popular jobs people across 145 countries are searching for when they imagine their next career chapter. What those popular careers are has shifted dramatically since we first started this research.”

The data suggests a rapid rise in interest for the craft. When Remitly last conducted its research in 2024, searches for DJ career paths ranked 24th globally, signaling a significant upward trajectory in the occupation’s popularity over the past two years.

The company explained that its analysis focused on the language used by individuals in the “dreaming stage” of their career development. By focusing on specific phrasing such as “how to be a…” and “how to become a…” rather than traditional job search terms like “pilot jobs,” the researchers were able to capture a more accurate picture of what people truly aspire to do with their lives.