I’ve spent a lot of time talking to students to understand what career planning resources they have available. A common refrain I hear is: “No one asks me these types of questions.”

As a society, we put immense pressure on teenagers to not only attend college but also pick the “right” school program and have an entire career mapped out before graduation. This model assumes that a bachelor’s degree is the only way, and it’s all about picking the right degree.

But the real-world experiences of millions of graduates refute the logic of this traditional model. Time and time again, we fail to account for diverse talents and interests. We fail to provide space for self-reflection. Graduates end up in jobs unmatched by their degree or interests, fueling workplace disengagement and hampering long-term success.

The Flawed Foundation: A One-Size-Fits-All Approach

For several generations now, our culture has taught us that college is the only way to go after high school. And before many students feel confident about their direction, they are forced to make choices about their future. Students pick a major and then a “dream job,” all without understanding what skills and lifestyle their career might entail.

Everyone has their own thing that they are good at, something they are naturally interested in, something they are passionate about. However, this one-size-fits-all mentality pushes students into careers they barely know, shutting down their creativity and excitement to learn.

According to Gallup's World Poll, only 15% of the world's one billion full-time workers are engaged at work. This translates to a staggering 85% of workers worldwide feeling unfulfilled, highlighting the urgent need for a shift in how we approach career planning.

If we do not consider the differences, we risk creating a society with a huge number of disengaged graduates who aren’t motivated to do their best and are stuck in jobs they are not interested in.

Reframing Success: Fostering Self-Discovery

The process of career exploration must start with self-discovery. Engaging in deep self-reflection gives students a clearer understanding of their strengths, values, and interests. This guides them in their career exploration, revealing unique talents and passions they may not even be aware of.

Additionally, part of promoting self-discovery is the use of career exploration tools. It is important to develop comprehensive personality assessments alongside career exploration workshops to create personalized learning plans and put confidence in graduating students. Sadly, many schools do not have these student-empowering tools.

Once self-discovery and career exploration are complete, students can make informed decisions about their future that reflect their passions and talents.

Beyond the Classroom Walls: Expanding Career Exploration

Classrooms should not be restrictive when it comes to career choices.

Students need exposure to a wider array of job alternatives aside from the usual college path. Such events like career fairs, talks by professionals in various fields, and asking questions with people who do work that they are interested in knowing more about play great roles in expanding their career choices.

Internships, apprenticeships, and volunteer work also give students an opportunity to put their feet into new waters before they make a final decision about their profession. This hands-on experience enables them to learn about different careers and identify preferred work styles and environments for future professions.

A survey by Leeds University Business School found that students who undertook a 9-to-12-month industrial internship had better academic and employment outcomes, with students often securing more graduate job offers, achieving higher graduate salaries, and being more satisfied in their first graduate roles.

Additionally, it is important to recognize the fact that skills acquired outside of the formal academic setting have value too. In today’s job market, creative talents, technical abilities, and entrepreneurial attitudes are all highly valuable attributes.

Building a New Roadmap: Empowering Students for Lifelong Learning

In today's rapidly evolving world, students find themselves with an entirely new challenge: how to stay relevant in an ever-changing professional landscape. The answer lies in continuous learning and adaptability. Being equipped with strong critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and effective communication will help them with the twists and turns of their career and embrace opportunities for lifelong learning.

Educational institutions also play an important role in instilling a growth mindset among high schoolers. This equips them with the resilience and adaptability needed to face challenges head-on, seeing them not as roadblocks but as stepping stones to growth.

Furthermore, as society rapidly integrates technology into the workplace, students must also be equipped with digital literacy skills.

By adopting a comprehensive approach that emphasizes lifelong learning, personal growth, and adaptability, educational institutions can empower students to become self-directed learners capable of thriving in an ever-changing professional landscape.

A Way Forward

The bottom line is this: the current system often sets young people up for failure. They're expected to make monumental life decisions without the context, guidance, or pathways necessary to leverage their unique talents. It's time to dismantle this outdated model and empower students to explore potential career paths with intentionality, before committing to programs, debt, and directions that might not serve them in the long run.

Imagine a future where young adults enter the professional world with confidence, equipped with the knowledge, skills, and adaptability to thrive in fulfilling careers. This is the future we should be working towards.