美国人都选什么样的人做榜样？

“Never give up on your dreams,” “education is the best legacy” and “believe in yourself” are examples of the best pieces of advice given to Americans by their role models, according to new data.

最新数据显示，“永不放弃梦想”、“教育是最好的遗产”和“相信自己”是榜样们给美国人的最好建议。

A survey of 2,000 Americans found that 74 percent of respondents had or currently have a role model – and for those who do, the average person has four.

一项针对2000名美国人的调查发现，74%的受访者曾经或现在有过榜样，而对于那些有榜样的人，平均每个人有四个。

And results revealed that intelligence, leadership skills and confidence in their abilities are the top three characteristics we admire in those we look up to.

结果显示，智力、领导能力和对自己能力的信心是我们崇拜的人的三大特征。

Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of University of Phoenix, the survey found that dad is most likely to exemplify those traits – he was chosen as the top role model for respondents (47 percent).

OnePoll公司代表凤凰城大学开展的这项调查发现，父亲最有可能成为这些品质的典型代表——他被受访者选为最佳榜样(47%)。

Mom was a close second (42 percent), followed by a favorite teacher or professor (41 percent).

妈妈紧随其后(42%)，其次是最喜欢的老师或教授(41%)。

But the survey looked at more than just who our role models are; it also delved into the influence they have on our lives.

但这项调查不仅仅着眼于我们的榜样是谁，还深入探讨了他们对我们生活的影响。

The vast majority of those with a role model – 81 percent – say their role model has influenced some of their major life decisions.

绝大多数有榜样的人(81%)说，他们的榜样影响了他们人生中的一些重大决定。

This includes advice on overcoming obstacles, setting financial goals, helping respondents choose a career path and encouraging them to finish their degree.

这些建议包括如何克服障碍、设定财务目标、帮助受访者选择职业道路以及鼓励他们完成学业。

Fifty-five percent of those with a role model said the person they look up to motivated them to pursue higher education – and when things got tough and they wanted to quit, 55 percent said their role model encouraged them to continue their schooling.

55%有榜样的人说他们崇拜的人激励他们追求更高的教育——当事情变得艰难，他们想要放弃时，55%的人说他们的榜样鼓励他们继续学业。

And 86 percent said their role model encouraged them to be a lifelong learner.

86%的人说他们的榜样鼓励他们成为终身学习者。

Turns out, that’s an important part of being a role model: Three-quarters of those surveyed believe that young people’s perception of education is influenced by their role model.

事实证明，这是成为榜样的一个重要部分：四分之三的受访者认为，年轻人对教育的看法受到榜样的影响。

While 78 percent believe young people are more likely to pursue higher education if their role model pursues it.

78%的人认为，如果榜样追求高等教育，年轻人更可能追求高等教育。

“At University of Phoenix the majority of our students are first-generation college students and many are also parents,” said John Woods, University of Phoenix’s provost. “For them, being a role model for their children is an important factor in wanting to pursue a college education. Earning their degree encourages future generations to build a legacy of education.”

凤凰城大学教务长约翰·伍兹说：“在凤凰城大学，我们的大多数学生都是第一代大学生，许多学生也是家长，对他们来说，成为孩子的榜样是他们想上大学的一个重要因素：获得学位鼓励后代建立教育遗产。”

The survey found that 81 percent believe it’s important for young people to have someone to look up to – and 56 percent of respondents believe they’re a role model for others.

调查发现，81%的受访者认为年轻人有值得尊敬的人很重要，56%的受访者认为自己是他人的榜样。

The top ways they’re exhibiting the traits of a role model include making a difference in their local community (61 percent) and following their moral and ethical convictions (57 percent).

他们展示榜样特质的最主要方式，包括在当地社区中有所作为(61%)和遵循道德和伦理信念(57%)。

That was followed by working to achieve their personal goals, as well as continuous learning and upskilling (54 percent, each).

接下来是努力实现个人目标，以及不断学习和提高(各占54%)。

Seventy-eight percent of respondents believe that lifelong learning is important – and the top reason they believe that is because it allows them to be a positive role model for those around them.

78%的受访者认为终身学习很重要，他们认为这一点的首要原因是，终身学习可以让他们成为周围人的积极榜样。

“A role model inspires us to be better, do better and work hard to pursue our dreams,” said Provost Woods. “To be an effective role model to others, we must demonstrate a wonderment and passion for lifelong learning. Working on ourselves, by pursuing an education, striving to reach a goal or committing to learning something new every day, has a lasting effect on those around us.”

“榜样激励我们变得更好，做得更好，努力追求我们的梦想，”教务长伍兹说。“要成为他人的有效榜样，我们必须表现出对终身学习的好奇和热情。通过追求教育、努力实现目标或每天致力于学习新东西来为自己工作，对我们周围的人有持久的影响。”