We live in a world of endless career possibilities, where technology has opened doors to opportunities unimaginable just decades ago. Yet, even with this exponential growth, preparing students for their careers after graduation is falling short.
The traditional emphasis on academics and college applications leaves little room for guidance on the equally critical task of mapping professional pathways aligned to a student’s strengths and passions. But, as the data shows, career planning is more important than ever in setting today’s youth up for future success.
According to a recent national survey by YouScience, 75% of high school graduates report not feeling ready to make well-informed college and career choices. 80% say they would have been more engaged in learning if they better understood their own talents and potential career options.
That disconnect has consequences. Many students move on feeling directionless and overwhelmed, struggling to navigate the transition to college or the workforce.
Over the past two decades, the proportion of 18-24-year-olds classified as NEET (not in education, employment or training) has risen from 10% to 13%. These disconnected youth are more likely to be unemployed, commit crimes, or abuse drugs or alcohol.
Among those who do pursue higher education, the lack of career focus contributes to alarmingly high dropout rates. Only 62% of college students complete their degree within six years. And community colleges have less than a 40% completion rate after six years.
Students are dropping out because they entered unclear of their goals and selected majors that did not engage them. They rack up debt without earning a degree to show for it. Unsurprisingly, dropouts struggle to repay their loans. Default rates amongst dropouts are 3X higher vs. college graduates.
Clearly, there is a gap in providing students with sufficient career direction that also needs realignment to shifting post-graduation job market realities.
In today’s job market, companies are shifting focus from degrees toward skills-based hiring. U.S. job postings requiring at least a bachelor’s degree were 41% in 2022, down from 46% at the start of 2018. At least 16 states have already removed degree requirements from many state jobs.
Major corporations like Google, IBM, Accenture, Bank of America, and Delta have dropped college requirements for certain roles. Instead, they prioritize hands-on abilities from candidates.
This shift is being driven partially by talent shortages, especially in trades like plumbing, electrical work, and construction. There are over 7 million job openings in the US with more than 50% being in trades and manufacturing.
But students are not hearing enough about these lucrative alternatives. High school career exposure remains focused on the bachelor’s degree route, to the detriment of both individuals and our economy. College remains the main priority despite enrollment in technical apprenticeships growing over 50% in the past decade, while college enrollment declined 15%. This college-first emphasis needs reevaluation given only 62% of recent high school grads are enrolled in college, down from a peak of 70% in 2009. .
Students and parents want change. Surveys show 62% of high-schoolers felt their school should have better prepared them for post-graduation careers. In one survey, being prepared for a career has moved into the top 10 reasons as the “purpose of education” while preparing for college has moved out.
This lack of preparation persists even as concerning outcomes pile up, which begs the question - why does this gap in career readiness continue when the demand for change is so clear?
First, career planning and self-reflection remain glaringly absent from most high school curriculums. Activities to uncover a student’s strengths, interests, and professional goals are rarely prioritized. What is provided mainly involves basic surveys to identify personality traits and suggest potential career paths. However, students tell me they rarely use these recommendations or find the tools overwhelming - both hard to comprehend and difficult to take meaningful action from.
Counselors are overloaded, with reports suggesting between 200-250 students per counselor on average nationally. Counselors are also dealing more with mental health and navigating increasingly complex college applications. Very few students receive personalized career guidance tailored to their needs.
And most damagingly, the system remains focused on college application preparation, often overlooking alternative pathways. There is minimal exposure to the well-paying trades now desperate for skilled workers. According to the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce, there are 30 million jobs in the US paying $55,000 that don’t require bachelor degrees. Not far from the $61,600 median earnings of those aged 25-24 with a bachelor's degree but accompanied with student debt.
In total, we are setting students up for difficult transitions, uninformed choices, and frustrating detours. But it does not have to be this way.
With some shifts in approach, high schools can equip students with better career clarity before they walk across the graduation stage.
It begins with integrating self-discovery activities into existing curriculums to uncover student passions. Guide them to reflect on how their strengths can align with professional opportunities.
Increase exposure to all post-grad pathways, not just the bachelor’s degree route. Let them experience trades via internships and connect with professionals across industries.
And provide personalized coaching and mentoring relationships. Help students envision how their interests translate into potential careers and map intentional plans after graduation.
When students have direction and purpose, they thrive. It leads to higher engagement, achievement, and mental health.
Amidst constant societal change, career prep has never been more vital for students’ futures. The time is now to bring this critical development back into focus. Our youth deserve to feel confident pursuing careers they love. Let’s come together to make that a reality.
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